Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Our vision for sustainability

Ascension recently made a public commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions and zero waste by 2040. This commitment will establish Ascension as a leader in sustainability as we encourage other healthcare organizations to join us. These three pillars will guide our work:

  • Net Zero Places focuses on carbon sources associated with physical environments. This pillar considers the carbon footprint and operational efficiency of facilities as well as sustainable transportation.

  • Responsible Supply Chain focuses on the flow of goods from their procurement all the way through their disposition after use—encompassing sustainable sourcing, product usage management, recycling and waste management.  

  • Healthy Communities focuses on the relationship between sustainability and social determinants of health, linking this back to Ascension’s Mission to sustain and improve the health of individuals and communities the ministry is privileged to serve.
Learn more about our environmental efforts:

FY22 Environmental Impact and Sustainability Annual Report: This report details Ascension’s work towards its environmental goals by 2040 as well as describes the progress we’ve made this past fiscal year.

Health Progress Story: Craig Cordola, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, penned the following article for Catholic Health Association’s magazine, Health Progress, that details our environmental efforts.

Good Day Ascension Podcast: Craig Cordola, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension, highlights Ascension's Environmental Impact & Sustainability goal.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability microsite: Ascension associates can learn more and get involved by visiting the Environmental Impact and Sustainability intranet site. (login required)

OUR FY22 COMMITMENTS

FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

— Cleaning Solutions: Make it Yourself
— Sustainability Scavenger Hunt
— 10 Ways to Go Green
— How Green Are You?

Green Team
Associates from across Ascension make up the System Green Team. This team provides leadership for the Environmental Impact and Sustainability programs. The dedication of Green Team members allows the Environmental Impact and Sustainability program to foster a culture in which every person understands that stewarding our natural resources is a fundamental, individual responsibility at Ascension.
Awards

2022 Partner for Change Award Recipients

Recognized for superior performance in environmental sustainability, covering a range  of programs and activities.

— Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Ozaukee (Mequon, Wisconsin)
— Ascension Saint Mary – Chicago (Illinois)
— Ascension St. Vincent Anderson (Anderson, Indiana)
— Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham (Alabama)
— Ascension St. Vincent's Southside (Jacksonville, Florida)
— Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas (Austin, Texas)
— Lourdes Hospital (Binghamton, New York)

2022 Partner Recognition Award Recipient

Recognized for commitment to environmental improvements and progress in several areas of the organization.

— Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital (Rochester, Michigan)

2021 Climate Champion awards from Health Care Without Harm

Ascension internationally recognized for environmental efforts

— Climate Resilience – Gold
— Climate Leadership – Gold

2020 Energy Star Certifications

The following Ascension sites of care received Energy Star Certifications, demonstrating outstanding performance in facility operations with a focus on energy efficiency.

— Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County
— Ascension St. Vincent Fishers
— Ascension St. Vincent Warrick
— Ascension St. John Broken Arrow
— Ascension St. John Jane Phillips
— Ascension St. John Owasso
— Dell Children’s Medical Center
— Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas
— Ascension NE Wisconsin – Mercy Campus

2020 ASHE Energy to Care Awards

— Ascension Seton Shoal Creek
— Ascension St. Vincent Anderson
— Ascension St. Vincent’s Blount

2020 Practice Greenhealth: Greenhealth Partner for a Change Award

Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside was recognized with an Environmental Excellence Award from Practice Greenhealth. The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognizes healthcare facilities that have implemented a significant number of environmental programs and continuously improved and expanded these programs on the path to sustainability.

Reports

View FY22 Report

Craig Cordola, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension, highlights Ascension's Environmental Impact & Sustainability goals

 

Focus on sustainability

Ascension St. Vincent (Indiana)



Ascension Wisconsin



Ascension Via Christi (Kansas)