Climate-Smart Healthcare

Mayo Clinic Health System's new La Crosse hospital introduced cutting-edge geothermal energy and energy efficiency practices to reduce costs and lower pollution, setting a new standard for their construction projects in other states and the future of healthcare. Read the full story here. 

A warming climate exacerbates heat stress-related illnesses, disrupts food systems, and disproportionately burdens vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for systemic change in healthcare. Recognizing their role in addressing this crisis, healthcare workers advocate for sustainability initiatives, waste reduction, and climate-focused actions within their organizations to align their practices with environmental responsibility and public health goals. Read more here.

HealthPartners is improving community and environmental health through initiatives like recycling, composting, medicine take-back programs, and reducing waste at their Wisconsin hospitals and beyond. Learn more about their incredible sustainability efforts here.

Passionate climate leaders from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Froedtert Health worked together to inspire change in the system, eventually leading to the launch of the new Sustainability, Health and the Environment (SHE) Center. Click here to learn more about how small action leads to major changes. 

Gundersen Health has been leading on Climate-Smart healthcare in Wisconsin. Their energy conservation efforts are going one step further with the launch of a new microgrid project on their Onalaska campus. This microgrid will increase their ability to store renewable energy and will keep the lights on during blackouts, all with renewables. Read more here. 

HCW had the pleasure of talking to Dr. Bryan Webster at Wildwood Clinic about their two successful solar projects. We also dive into the importance of protecting solar incentives for all businesses, hospitals, and individuals in Wisconsin as utility companies continue to change their policies.  Click here to read more.

Western Wisconsin Health's sustainability team member Darin Winn shares about their innovative new Green Box Program; a reusable container program that is greening their cafeteria and saving money. Click here to read more.

Healthy Climate Wisconsin Member Kelly DeMarco shares her story about starting a green team with her colleagues and growing its programs over the course of five years. She encourages other healthcare professionals to take on green work within their own systems stating, “It’s the process that forms us into experts.”

This impressive GE HealthCare facility in Oak Creek, Wisconsin keeps over 8 million pounds of used medical equipment out of landfills each year, and is able to restore and/or refurbish 48% of materials.

In March 2023, Sheboygan Senior Center (SCC) launched its new solar project, which is expected to offset 28% of the SCC's total consumption. The savings will go to expand programs and fill needs for area seniors. 

Energy efficiency translates directly into savings for health care facilities. Since 2016, Aurora Sinai has achieved $414,238 in annual savings directly related to energy usage and improved building performance.

​

​

With more than 50 percent of all meat served in the hospital being antibiotic free and more than 30 percent of all food being either locally or sustainably produced, UW Health is working hard to support the local economy and help combat antibiotic resistance. 

Renewable energy and conservation strategies have yielded Aspirus $750,000 in savings and 8,694,988 kilowatt-hours, which is equal to 6,148 metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCo2) or the annual energy/fuel of 709 houses and 1,328 vehicles.

​