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Hackensack Hospital Honored Again As Environmental Leader

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- For the second year in a row, Hackensack University Medical Center received the HealthTrust Member Recognition Award for Social Stewardship for conservation and preservation in a health care environment.

Hackensack University Medical Center officials joined with those at HealthTrust in accepting the stewardship award from HealthTrust.

Hackensack University Medical Center officials joined with those at HealthTrust in accepting the stewardship award from HealthTrust.

Photo Credit: Hackensack University Medical Center

The award was presented recently at a ceremony in Nashville. The medical center is a member of the HealthTrust group purchasing group, which is based in Brentwood, Tenn.

Hackensack University Medical Center officials credit the center's Green Team, along with the team at the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center. The Green Team has focused on preventative health along with recycling, waste management and reduction.

"This second consecutive award is a clear reflection of their continued environmental commitment to our patients, staff and community," said Robert Garrett, president and CEO of the Hackensack University Health Network.

The 185-member team promotes and develops environmental programs, some of which occur organically. For example, a team member in the operating room noticed many sterilized towels going unused and suggested switching from 10-packs to five-packs. That simple change lightened the load at the landfill and resulted in more than $100,000 in savings for the year. 

“On the national level, the approach is shifting from reactive to proactive,” said Kyle Tarfuri, senior sustainability advisor at the medical center. “The health care industry’s impact on the environment is staggering and we take our leadership role in this regard very seriously.” 

Hackensack University Medical Center is a 775- bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital in Bergen County.

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