Green Hospitals and Healthcare Virtual Meeting

Today, most industries in the United States are finding new ways of becoming more environmentally sustainable to cut costs and/or fulfill their corporate citizenship missions. Although hospitals and other healthcare organizations are conscious of these efforts, they face the unique challenges of round-the-clock operations, hazardous waste management, large-scale staffing, and extreme energy consumption. Healthcare leaders are aware of the role their organizations play in the community, but sometimes are unsure how they can make the business case for going green to their board or staff. By learning from peers, this session will address the myriad ways to change the culture of the organization; cut operating costs and improve staff recruitment, retention, and patient satisfaction; and gain visibility and credibility within the community as an exemplar for environmental sustainability.

Moderator: Sara Wohlford, MPH, RN

Director of Sustainability, Carilion Clinic

Sara Wohlford is the Director of Sustainability at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia, where she oversees programs for the healthcare system that reduce inefficiencies and waste, and promote environmental sustainability. After receiving a master's degree in public health from Virginia Tech, Sara conceptualized and proposed her current position, created a work structure for sustainability for Carilion’s seven hospitals, and developed the Carilion Clinic Environmental Stewardship Council. Her programs increase recycling, decrease energy utilization, decrease natural resource consumption, and divert tens of thousands of pounds of waste from Virginia landfills annually, while educating on and demonstrating the inextricable links between community health, environmental health, and sustainability.

Panelist: Cecilia DeLoach Lynn

Vice President of Sustainability, Advocate Health

Cecilia DeLoach Lynn is the Vice President of Sustainability at Advocate Health. At Advocate, she is responsible for developing strategy to operationalize the system’s sustainability and resilience goals—with a deep focus on engaging communities. Before joining Advocate, she spent 20+ years with Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm, creating the roadmap for sustainability in the healthcare sector and serving as a technical expert on sustainability and change management. Cecilia led the effort to evaluate and measure sustainability performance in healthcare through development of sector-wide sustainability metrics, alignment with reporting frameworks, and as the leader of the Environmental Excellence Awards program. She leads workstreams for the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative and the Collaborative for Healthcare Action to Reduce MedTech Emissions (CHARME) and sits on the AHA’s Sustainability Council. Cecilia believes relationships, data, and strategic storytelling are at the heart of driving organizational change. She thrives on finding common ground with stakeholders as a means to inspire, educate, and collaborate. Cecilia has a BS in Environmental Science, an MBA with a focus in corporate social responsibility and healthcare administration, is a LEED AP, and is based in Northern Virginia with her husband, two children, and an amazing dog.

Panelist: Dr. Jeff Thompson

Former CEO of Gunderson Health System, Author of Lead True: Live Your Values, Build Your People, Inspire Your Community.

Dr. Jeff Thompson, a retired neonatal pediatrician, served as CEO of Gundersen Health System for 14 years, where he led 7,000 staff, cared for hundreds of thousands of patients, and stewarded a billion dollars annually to measurably improve quality, lower costs, and extend care into the community. Under his leadership, Gundersen earned national recognition from CMS, Healthgrades, insurers, and business groups for excellence in quality and cost-effectiveness. He spearheaded groundbreaking sustainability initiatives, reducing greenhouse gases by 95% and pharmaceutical waste by 98%, while lowering costs and strengthening the local economy, work that earned him the White House Champions of Change Award and the Practice Greenhealth Visionary Leader Award, as well as the honor of being the only U.S. provider to speak in the Blue Zone at the Paris Climate Talks. Today, drawing on his experience as both physician and senior executive, Dr. Thompson focuses on teaching, mentoring, and developing the next generation of values-driven leaders to create lasting change.

Panelist: Jimmy Veteto

Vice President of Business Development, ENFRA Solutions

Vice President of Business Development for ENFRA Solutions (formerly Bernhard), serving hospitals and universities with Energy-as-a-Service solutions. Backed by the experience of our multi-disciplinary team, we bring the best combination of expertise, technology, and techniques to deliver innovative solutions to our clients' challenges.

ENFRA is one of the largest privately owned engineering and contracting firms in the nation. With over 100 years of experience and 2,200+ employees in 25 locations, we have a rich history of providing high-quality, client-focused engineering and contracting services for clients across the nation.

Our turnkey solutions reduce energy use, risk, and cost so our clients can focus on their everyday work.

*Once registered, attendee will receive a follow up email with the event information and link.

This program has been developed and is presented locally by ACHE of East Tennessee. The American College of Healthcare Executives has awarded 1.5 Virtual Education hours to this program. To receive credit for this program, your name MUST appear on the sign in sheet.

For any questions or problems regarding this event, please contact Jessica Sanford at [email protected]