By Healthcare Facilities Today

Kaiser Permanente has received 29 Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards for 2013.

Practice Greenhealth is a national membership organization for healthcare institutions that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices.

Among this year's awards, Kaiser Permanente received the System for Change Award, which recognizes health systems that are working to gather data, set system goals, benchmark and share successes in environmental performance. This is the fourth time Kaiser Permanente has received the award. 

Additionally, Kaiser Permanente’s Roseville (Calif.) Medical Center become a member of Practice Greenhealth’s Environmental Leadership Circle for exemplary work in addressing its environmental impact and implementing long-term sustainability features into its facilities.

"We are thrilled to be receiving so many awards this year, and we are inspired by the growing network of hospitals and healthcare systems working to make progress in environmental stewardship," said Kathy Gerwig, Kaiser Permanente's vice president for workplace safety and environmental stewardship officer, in a press release. "Only by working together toward common commitments, sharing best practices and driving for results can we truly move the healthcare sector toward full environmental sustainability."

Several Kaiser Permanente facilities and regions across the country received additional awards in recognition of their efforts to reduce waste and prevent pollution. The complete list is as follows:  

System for Change:

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan 

Hospitals Environmental Leadership Circle:

Kaiser Permanente Roseville (Calif.) Medical Center

Partner for Change Award:

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States

Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara (Calif.) Medical Center (with distinction)

Kaiser Permanente Antioch (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Sacramento (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Fremont (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente San Jose (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente San Rafael (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Vallejo (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Fontana (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Riverside (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Panorama City (Calif.) Medical Center

Partner Recognition Award:

Kaiser Permanente Eye Surgery Center Rancho Cordova (Calif.)

Kaiser Permanente Folsom (Calif.) Ambulatory Surgery Unit

Kaiser Permanente Folsom (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Hayward (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Irvine (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Ontario (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente San Diego (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles (Calif.) Medical Center

Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills (Calif.) Medical Center