13 CommonSpirit Health Hospitals Recognized for Environmental Excellence

CHICAGO — August 21, 2025 — CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, today announced that 13 of its hospitals earned Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards.

CommonSpirit Health has long championed environmental sustainability, with a key objective of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030. CommonSpirit’s environmental stewardship initiatives also include goals to increase use of renewable energy by 20%, and decrease energy and water consumption by 25% by 2030. 

“Sustainability is essential to better care for our patients, communities, and planet,” said Sister Mary Ellen Leciejewski, OP, system vice president of environmental sustainability at CommonSpirit Health. “The leadership and daily actions of our staff have helped us create a healthier world and commit to a sustainable and vibrant healthcare system.”  

Each year, US hospitals generate around five tons of waste. The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards recognize health care facilities and health systems for their commitment to environmental stewardship and their sustainability achievements. 

Facilities are awarded either the Greenhealth Emerald Award, which recognizes the top 20 percent of applicants and is focused on advanced sustainability programs, or The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award, which recognizes superior performance in environmental sustainability.

Greenhealth Emerald Award Winner: 

California Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 

• Created extreme heat awareness initiatives to help protect community members, patients and staff during times of extreme heat.

• Eliminated the use of Desflurane, an inhaled anesthetic, in all of its operating rooms. 

Partner for Change Award Winners:

Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy, Omaha, Nebraska

• Implemented Orange bag collection program for departments to collect hard to recycle plastics. 

CHI Lakeside Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska 

• Implemented Orange bag and ink toner recycling programs

Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, California

• Transformed over 9,000 square feet of hospital grounds into a garden. Produce is donated to vulnerable seniors in the community. 

• Composted over 113 tons and recycled 28.5 tons of mixed materials and over 114 tons of cardboard and 12 tons of electronics.

French Hospital Medical Center, San Luis Obispo, California 

• Decreased water usage by 26.89%, electric usage by 14.6% and natural gas usage by 15.48%.

• Decreased steam usage for heating from 1,380 lbs. per hour to 620 lbs. per hour

Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento, California

• Installed energy efficient fixtures facility wide and reduced energy usage.

• Eliminated surgical wrap. 

Mercy Hospital of Folsom, Folsom, California

• Recycled approximately one ton of blue wrap in operating rooms

• Used 2,707 lbs of reprocessed medical devices, saving over $135,000.

Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Carmichael, California

• Repurposed unused medical equipment to other hospitals in need. 

• Offered more plant based options for employees and patient family members.

Methodist Hospital, Sacramento, California 

• Used Earth Day to create staff engagement in sustainability efforts.

• Incorporated energy-efficient and environmentally responsible design features.

Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 

• Continually streamlined custom surgical packs

• Gave away plants and fruit trees to mark Earth Day

Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Grass Valley, California

• Continued focus on hospital-based community supported agriculture sites, where the public and staff have access to vegetables, fruit and flowers. 

Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 

• Developed a playbook for deactivation of piped nitrous oxide systems.

• Expanded our pop-up Pike Place Farmer’s pop-up farm stand program that serves hospital staff and Seattle neighborhoods.

Woodland Memorial Hospital, Woodland, California 

• Provided over 21,500 pounds of food to local organizations facing food insecurity and increased access to food while reducing waste and carbon emissions.

• Fully funded the Woodland Campus Solar Project that is expected to generate 1.5m kWh of power.