Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Recognized Among Top U.S. Hospitals for Environmental Excellence by Practice Greenhealth   

Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Recognized Among Top U.S. Hospitals for Environmental Excellence by Practice Greenhealth

Ten Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals were recognized by Practice Greenhealth — the nation’s leading organization dedicated to sustainability in healthcare — for environmental excellence in 2024. 

“Hackensack Meridian Health is leading the way in healthcare sustainability,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our Practice Greenhealth recognitions reflect our network-wide commitment to our patients and communities through comprehensive and ongoing efforts to promote environmental stewardship.” 

Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Ocean University Medical Center were recognized among Practice Greenhealth’s 2024 Top 25 Hospitals in Environmental Excellence. Hackensack University Medical Center has earned this prestigious recognition for 10 consecutive years – every year since the award was created, this is Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s fourth, and Ocean University Medical Center’s third recognition as Top 25 hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center also received three Top 10 Circle of Excellence awards for Leadership, Safer Chemicals and Food, as well as the Greening the OR Recognition Award.

“We’ve created a culture of sustainability across Hackensack Meridian Health,” said Kyle Tafuri, vice president of sustainability, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our responsibility of being stewards of the environment is part of our commitment to providing healthcare. Our Practice Greenhealth and Joint Commission recognitions and our partnership with solar energy company Bernhard show that we are national leaders committed to healthcare sustainability. We’re creating a healthier future for our patients and communities.” 

The Top 25 Hospitals Environmental Excellence Award is Practice Greenhealth’s highest honor for hospitals. The Environmental Excellence Awards are given annually to honor healthcare achievements in sustainability. 

Seven Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals also received the Greenhealth Emerald Award, which recognizes an ongoing commitment to improving environmental performance and efforts to build sustainability and resiliency into the institution's operations and culture. The Circle of Excellence Awards honor up to 10 of the highest-performing hospitals nationwide in each area of sustainability expertise.

Hackensack Meridian Health awards include:

  • Hackensack University Medical Center — Top 25 Hospital; Top 10 Circle of Excellence in Leadership, Safer Chemicals, and Food; Greening the OR Recognition Award
  • Jersey Shore University Medical Center — Top 25 Hospital; Top 10 Circle of Excellence in Leadership; Greening the OR Recognition Award
  • Ocean University Medical Center — Top 25 Hospital; Top 10 Circle of Excellence in Leadership
  • Bayshore Medical Center – Greenhealth Emerald Award; Top 10 Circle of Excellence in Leadership
  • JFK University Medical Center — Greenhealth Emerald Award; Top 10 Circle of Excellence in Leadership
  • Palisades Medical Center — Greenhealth Emerald Award
  • Raritan Bay Medical Center – Old Bridge — Greenhealth Emerald Award; Top 10 Circle of Excellence in Waste
  • Raritan Bay Medical Center — Greenhealth Emerald Award
  • Riverview Medical Center — Greenhealth Emerald Award; Greening the OR Recognition Award
  • Southern Ocean Medical Center — Greenhealth Emerald Award, Top 10 Circle of Excellence in Leadership

Hackensack Meridian Health’s Practice Greenhealth recognitions closely follow the network’s latest sustainability honor, with four Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals — Hackensack University Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Ocean University Medical Center — becoming first in the nation to earn the Joint Commission’s Sustainable Healthcare Certification (SHC). 

In April 2024, Hackensack Meridian Health and Bernhard, one of America’s largest privately owned infrastructure firms, announced a groundbreaking 30-year Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) partnership. Through the partnership, Hackensack Meridian Health will own any not-for-profit healthcare provider's largest solar and battery energy storage system in the U.S. The agreement also includes 50,000 solar panels manufactured in the U.S., $134 million in infrastructure improvements, a 10 percent reduction in carbon emissions, a 25 percent decrease in purchased electricity, and a 33 percent guaranteed energy savings. 

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