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A group of Maryland hospitals was recognized for their environmental accomplishments by Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) at an awards program held at the Harbor Hospital Life Resource Center in Baltimore, on June 6. Three hospitals received the 2006 Making Medicine Mercury Free Award.
“The growing number of hospitals participating in Hospitals for a Healthy Environment and their shared success stories indicate how the program is being embraced by the healthcare community,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “Hospitals across the state are improving their compliance programs, reducing liability and saving money through this unique voluntary program.”
The awards program recognized facilities that have virtually eliminated mercury from their facilities and have made a commitment to continue to be mercury free. The following Maryland hospitals received this distinction:
- Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick
- Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base
- Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park,
Three additional hospitals (National Naval Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, and Dorchester General Hospital) received the award in 2005. Maryland H2E has set a goal to help every hospital in the state achieve mercury-free status.
Maryland H2E is the state-level organization associated with the national H2E movement for environmental sustainability in health care. The Maryland H2E partners include the Maryland Department of the Environment, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Maryland Nurses Association and Maryland Hospital Association. The national H2E program is a non-profit organization jointly founded by the American Hospital Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Care Without Harm and the American Nurses Association.
In Maryland, 36 of the more than 70 hospitals are H2E partners. These are healthcare facilities that have pledged to eliminate mercury, reduce waste, and reduce the use of toxic chemicals. H2E currently has 1,184 Partners nationwide, representing more than 8,000 healthcare facilities.
“We look forward to recognizing even more Maryland H2E participants and award winners next year,” said Philbrick.
For information on participating hospitals, awards criteria, and
the practical tools and resources provide by H2E to improve environmental
performance, go to www.h2e-online.org. For more information on Maryland H2E,
contact Richard Zdanis, Program Coordinator at 410-706-2352,
rzdan001@son.umaryland.edu or Laura Armstrong, MDE Pollution Prevention
Coordinator at 410-537-4119,
Laura.Armstrong@maryland.gov.
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