Civista Medical Center’s Green Team seeks to provide a healthier, healing environment for patients and staff alike. Led by Lauri Cress, Director of Facilities at Civista, the multi-disciplinary Green Team includes members from Engineering, Environmental Services, Materials Management, Nursing, Laboratory Services, and Nutritional Services.

Meet the Civista Green Team. Back row (L to R): Lauri Cress, Gary Hall, James Harris, Doug Santoro. Front row (L to R): Susan Auth, Christine Sullivan, Art Beauvais. Not pictured: Kathy Fitzsimmons, Belinda VanCleaf

The team has now undertaken several initiatives designed to conserve resources, reduce waste, and achieve healthier indoor air. Some of these initiatives include:

•    Waste Reduction and Recycling: In the first month of the Green Team’s efforts over a ton of waste was taken out for recycling. Every department at Civista is involved in waste reduction and recycling. The use of paper handouts in meetings has been significantly reduced or eliminated, with increased use of computer PowerPoint documents instead.

•    Sustainable Foods: Nutritional Services has been actively involved by providing more fresh, nutritious, organic, and local food choices for patients. Foods that are hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and from a sustainable source are now used more, and styrofoam products have been eliminated from patient trays.

•    Energy Conservation: Energy audits, energy conserving light fixtures, and motion sensors that control lighting will result in substantial energy and cost saving. Toilets and sinks have been upgraded to minimize waste, and a standard building temperature has been established to prevent spikes in energy consumption.

•    Environmentally Preferable Purchasing: In the past, to prevent spread of infection in hospitals, harsh chemical cleaners were used, but these can cause respiratory problems. Green products are now being used, increasing patient and employee satisfaction while maintaining a clean environment. Carpeting which does not produce offgassing of chemicals has been installed. Mercury-free products and those made from recycled materials are being used; along with environmentally preferred packing.

New plumbing fixtures, carpeting, and energy efficient light fixtures have all improved quality of care here at Civista. And daylight has been brought indoors with new enlarged windows, light wells, clerestory windows, and reflective surfaces. In addition, we greened our grounds with the aesthetic and therapeutic pleasures of our healing garden.

From the air to the light to the actual grounds, our Green Team is working to make Civista a healthcare leader in environmental excellence.