For the ninth consecutive year, The Valley Hospital is being recognized for its achievements and innovation in health care sustainability from Practice Greenhealth.
The Paramus-headquartered network recently received the national organization’s Partner for Change Award. The honor recognizes its ongoing commitment to improving environmental performance as well as its work to incorporate sustainability and resiliency into operations and culture.
Practice Greenhealth also awarded Valley its Greening the OR Recognition Award for its efforts to improve environmental performance in the operating room.
Gary Cohen, founder of Reston, Va.-based Practice Greenhealth, praised Valley. He said the system “demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”
“In a shifting health care landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” Cohen said in a May 24 press release.
New and improved
The achievement comes about a month after Valley officially moved into its state-of-the-art hospital in Paramus. Located on Winters Avenue, the newly constructed $868 million facility replaced Valley’s longtime hospital in Ridgewood.
In Paramus, the 370-bed, 910,000-square-foot, seven-floor acute care hospital is the centerpiece of a 40-acre campus that unites inpatient care with a wide range of outpatient services. Key features include:
- Single-patient rooms for privacy and healing;
- An expanded emergency department;
- Larger operating rooms;
- The latest technology; and
- Park-like grounds.
According to Valley, the new hospital operates and is maintained using environmentally friendly principles. More than 30% of the campus is dedicated to open green space. It also has two green roofs. According to the hospital, that will help reduce stormwater runoff, improve energy efficiency and improve the overall look of the building.
The hospital also features a cogeneration plant, which will allow Valley to reduce its carbon footprint. The facility will produce 30% to 40% of its power, depending on the season.
Valley Health System CEO Audrey Meyers commented, “Valley is committed to minimizing the impact of hospital operations on the environment and contributing towards a more sustainable future. Sustainability practices are essential for the health and well-being of our patients and families, as well as for the larger environments of our community and our planet.”
Launched in 2002, Practice Greenhealth’s environmental excellence awards launched in 2002. It is considered one of the nation’s premier recognition programs for environmental performance in the health care sector.
Other New Jersey health systems honored this year include Hackensack Meridian Health and Atlantic Health System.
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