Griffin First in CT to Earn Sustainable Health Certification

Griffin Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Sustainable Healthcare Certification (SHC) by prioritizing environmental sustainability through decarbonization efforts. The certification demonstrates Griffin’s achievement in establishing structure, rigor and accountability to accelerate these efforts.

Griffin is the first healthcare organization in Connecticut to receive this recognition.

The healthcare industry accounts for nearly 9% of the nation’s carbon emissions. In reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, organizations commit to cost-effective and efficient operations that seek to address climate change and the impacts that climate-related events can have on individuals.

Griffin underwent a virtual review on May 2, 2025. During the review, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including the organization’s contribution toward global sustainability, its baselines for measuring three sources of GHG emissions and its actionable plans for reducing them.

“Sustainable Healthcare Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety, quality of care and environmental sustainability,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Griffin Health for using The Joint Commission’s certification process to enact sustainable practices and utilize resources that positively benefit patients and the environment.”

“We are proud to receive this certification as it recognizes Griffin’s commitment to maintaining an exceptional healing environment at our facilities and our dedication to improving the well-being of our community,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. “As a Planetree patient-centered healthcare provider, we understand the benefits that incorporating natural elements and views of nature can have on the mind, body and spirit of individual which is why our award winning hospital architecture incorporates natural light and elements of the natural environment as much as possible. It is our love and respect for nature that we actively seek ways to reduce our energy use and emissions to keep our promise as a trusted and responsible caregiver and neighbor.”

In the past two years, Griffin participated in the Energize Connecticut initiative, installing energy-saving equipment and upgrading lighting fixtures and HVAC systems at Griffin Hospital that reduced the hospital’s annual electricity usage by an estimated 17% which is equivalent to the energy used by 147 homes in one year. This reduction in electricity usage will also decrease more than 1,200 metric tons of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

About Griffin Health

Griffin Health is a not-for-profit health care system that includes the award-winning Griffin Hospital, an independent community teaching hospital located in Derby, Connecticut and its integrated medical practice Griffin Faculty Physicians. Griffin Hospital is a 160-bed acute care community hospital serving more than 130,000 residents of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Region.

Griffin Hospital is the flagship hospital for Planetree, an international consumer healthcare organization dedicated to promoting patient-centered care, and has received national recognition for creating a healthcare facility and an approach to patient care that is responsive to the needs of the whole person and their loved ones. Griffin’s commitment to the patient-centered care philosophy enhances its mission to improve the well-being of its communities by empowering individuals with health education, wellness programs and assistance with conditions that adversely affect health. Many healthcare organizations around the world send visitors to Griffin Hospital’s facilities and incorporate its Planetree concepts into their healthcare delivery models.

Griffin Hospital is recognized for having industry-leading patient satisfaction ratings and has received numerous quality and clinical excellence awards. Griffin Hospital was listed as one of the “World’s Best Hospitals” by Newsweek magazine for seven consecutive years (2019-2025), awarded Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care™ by Planetree International, and was named one of “Becker’s 100 Great Community Hospitals” the highly reputable healthcare specialty publication Becker’s Hospital Review for continued focus on equity, patient satisfaction, innovation, and improving the health needs of the surrounding community.