July 10, 2006—The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced in June that four Maryland hospitals are being recognized for their environmental accomplishments by Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E), a state-level program associated with the national non-profit H2E movement for environmental sustainability in health care.
Three Maryland hospitals received the 2006 Making Medicine Mercury Free Award. This award recognizes facilities that have virtually eliminated mercury from their facilities and have made a commitment to continue to be mercury free–Maryland’s goal for every hospital in the state. The following hospitals received the award:
- Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick;
- Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base; and
- Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park.
Three hospitals won Partner Recognition. This award goes to facilities that have met the H2E goals that they had set for their organization. The following Maryland hospitals received this distinction:
- Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick;
- National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda; and
- Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park.
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. Hospitals across the state are reportedly improving their compliance programs, reducing liability, and saving money through this voluntary program.
H2E currently has 1,184 partners nationwide, representing more than 8000 healthcare facilities. For information on participating hospitals, awards criteria, and the practical tools and resources provided by H2E to improve environmental performance, visit H2E.
