CommonSpirit Health Receives Greenhealth Champion Award from Practice Greenhealth

CHICAGO – July 17, 2026 – A longtime champion of environmental stewardship, CommonSpirit Health has received the Greenhealth Champion Award from Practice Greenhealth in recognition of superior performance in environmental sustainability.  

Each year, U.S. 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. 

"Receiving our first system-level Practice Greenhealth Award affirms CommonSpirit's deep-rooted commitment to environmental sustainability," said Sister Mary Ellen Leciejewski, OP, system vice president of environmental sustainability at CommonSpirit Health. "This award recognizes the collective efforts across our organization, from our supply chain teams to our facilities management, and the dedication of countless individuals who champion these initiatives daily."

In addition to the systemwide recognition, nine CommonSpirit hospitals received a Greenhealth Champion Award:

• California Hospital Medical Center

• French Hospital Medical Center

• Mercy San Juan Medical Center

• Mercy Hospital of Folsom

• Methodist Hospital

• Northridge Hospital Medical Center

• Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital

• Virginia Mason Medical Center

• Woodland Memorial Hospital

Among other environmental sustainability initiatives and programs, CommonSpirit has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 with an interim goal of cutting operational emissions in half by 2030. 

CommonSpirit's sustainability model is built on five key pillars:

• Comprehensive Data-Driven Approach: CommonSpirit tracks a wide array of environmental data including utility consumption, local and sustainable food purchases, chemical usage, and waste management ratios, to measure the impact of sustainability initiatives.

• Green Building and Infrastructure: The system's commitment extends to its physical infrastructure, with a focus on sustainable building practices in new construction and renovations, to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact.

• Environmental Considerations and Our Supply Chain: By integrating sustainability into our procurement process, CommonSpirit ensures that the supply chain reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship.

• Climate Resilience for Communities: Recognizing the growing impact of climate change on the communities it serves, CommonSpirit is proactively developing strategies for climate resilience, which involves understanding potential threats like floods, droughts, and extreme heat, and collaborating with local communities to prepare and respond effectively.

• Empowering Green Teams: Green Teams across CommonSpirit hospitals encourage collaboration among staff to implement sustainable practices at the local level. These teams are instrumental in driving initiatives from waste reduction to energy conservation.

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About CommonSpirit Health

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 158 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 160,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $5 billion annually in charity care, community benefits, and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system. Learn more at commonspirit.org.