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30 Providence hospitals land national recognition for environmental stewardship work

Practice Greenhealth bestows top honors to four Providence hospitals, names Providence a ‘System of Change’

RENTON, Wash. [May 10, 2024] – Providence was designated this week as a System of Change by Practice Greenhealth as part of its annual awards program, one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability. The honor was among 55 Environmental Excellent Awards handed out to Providence across 30 of its hospitals in 2024.  

“Providence’s commitment to protecting the environment and creating healthier communities is reflected throughout our entire organization and it’s an honor to be recognized as a System of Change,” Providence Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Ali Santore said. “This Mission-critical work is foundational to who we are as an organization, and although we cannot solve the climate crisis alone, we are prepared to lead by example to help ensure a healthier planet for future generations.”

In addition to being named a System of Change, four Providence hospitals were presented with Top 25 Environmental Excellent Awards — Practice Greenhealth’s highest honors for hospitals leading in sustainability performance and demonstrating comprehensive sustainability programs inherent to organizational culture. Those four hospitals are Providence St. Patrick Hospital, Swedish Cherry Hill, Swedish First Hill and Swedish Issaquah.

Providence also came away with Circles of Excellence, Greenhealth Emerald, Greenhealth Partner for Change, Making Medicine Mercury Free and Greening the OR awards. This year’s accolades come on the heels of winning 53 Environmental Excellent Awards across 29 hospitals in 2023.  

“Over the last few years, Providence has taken major steps forward in integrating climate resiliency into our operations and culture,” Providence Chief Environmental Stewardship Officer Beth Schenk said. “There’s been a groundswell of energy and excitement around environmental stewardship, and I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made toward carbon negative by 2030. I’m deeply grateful for the support we’ve received throughout our family of organizations in service to our vision of health for a better world.”

Providence’s 2024 Practice Greenhealth Awards include:

Greenhealth System for Change Award

Providence

Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award (4)

Providence St. Patrick Hospital

Swedish Cherry Hill

Swedish First Hill

Swedish Issaquah

Circles of Excellence Awards (14)

Providence Centralia Hospital for  “Waste”

Providence Seaside Hospital for “Greening the OR”

Providence St. Patrick Hospital for “Waste”

Swedish Ballard  for “Transportation”

Swedish Cherry Hill for “Climate”                                

Swedish Edmonds for “Climate, Transportation”

Swedish First Hill for “Transportation”

Swedish Issaquah for “Climate, Energy, Greening the OR, Transportation, Waste, Water”

Greenhealth Emerald Award (8)

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

Providence Seaside Hospital

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

Providence Centralia Hospital

Providence St. Peter Hospital

Providence Alaska Medical Center

Swedish Edmonds

Swedish Ballard

Greenhealth Partner for Change Award (18)

Covenant Children’s Hospital

Covenant Medical Center

Kadlec Regional Medical Center

Providence Holy Family Hospital

Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital

Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance

Providence Medford Medical Center

Providence Milwaukie Hospital

Providence Mount Carmel Hospital

Providence Newberg Medical Center

Providence Portland Medical Center

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center

Providence Saint John’s Health Center

Providence St. Joseph of Orange 

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center (Burbank, CA)

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center (Polson, MT)

Providence St. Mary Medical Center (Walla Walla, WA)

Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center

Making Medicine Mercury Free Award

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

Greening the OR Recognition (9)

Providence Alaska Medical Center

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center

Providence St. Mary Medical Center (Walla Walla, WA)

Providence St. Patrick Hospital

Providence St. Peter Hospital

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

Swedish Cherry Hill

Swedish First Hill

About Providence
Providence is a not-for-profit Catholic health system and one of the nation’s largest health systems, comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 51 hospitals, over 1,000 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing, and many other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 121,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states – Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif. Learn about our vision of health for a better world at Providence.org.