Members of SVH’s Green Team include (from left): Karen Clark, J.R. Kohler, Lucia Padilla, Bob Harrison, Kimberly Drummond, Laura Gallmeyer, and Kathy Matthews. Not shown are Rosemary Pryzmant and Ken Jensen.

Sonoma Valley Hospital has been recognized for its environmentally-friendly practices by Practice Greenhealth, a national organization promoting environmental stewardship and best practices in the health care industry.

SVH has received a 2015 “Greenhealth Partner for Change” Award for its efforts to improve environmental practices in a number of areas including waste reduction, recycling, conservation and source reduction programs.

Programs currently underway at the Hospital include improved energy use tracking, installing more recycling bins in public areas, improved plastics recycling, an employee education program to improve waste stream reduction, and recently replacing 103 toilets with low-flow models which were donated, each of which reduces its water use by more than half.

Last year, SVH reduced regulated medical waste and developed successful pollution prevention programs in a number of areas, including achieving a 19 percent overall reduction in Hospital waste.

“We continue our strong commitment to sound environmental practices at the Hospital, seeing it as an important part of our ongoing efforts to improve the health of our patients, staff and community,” said Kelly Mather, CEO. She acknowledged the contributions of the Hospital’s Green Team in leading staff conservation efforts, including Kimberly Drummond, Laura Gallmeyer, Kathy Mathews, Rosemary Pryzmant, Karen Clark, Lucia Padilla, J.R. Kohler, Bob Harrison and Ken Jensen.