Iowa Health - Des Moines has been honored with the 2012 Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth, for its commitment to environmental sustainability. Practice Greenhealth is a national organization for health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations. Each year, the organization presents Environmental Excellence Awards to hospitals, health care systems and businesses leading the way in eco-friendly operations.

The Partner for Change Award recognizes health care organizations that continuously improve and expand upon their mercury elimination, waste reduction and source reduction programs.

Last year, Iowa Health - Des Moines received the introductory-level Partner Recognition Award. Since then, it has continued to grow in its environmental sustainability practices, qualifying it to receive a higher level award this year.

Applicants for the award were assessed on their work in the following areas:

• Environmental Goals
• Green Team structure
• Toxic chemicals
• Solid waste - reduce, reuse, recycle
• Regulated medical waste
• Chemical use and waste management
• Single use device reprocessing
• Environmental Preferable Purchasing
• Food
• Facilities and construction
• Transportation
• Culture of sustainability

The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards were presented in Denver at CleanMed, the premier national environmental conference for leaders in health care sustainability.

Learn more about Iowa Health - Des Moines' commitment to environmental sustainability: www.iowahealth.org/going-green.aspx.