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Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has received a dual honor from Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) for its success in improving environmental health and for eliminating mercury from the environment. H2E has presented Jefferson University Hospital with the Making Medicine Mercury Free and the 2006 H2E Partner for Change awards.

“We recognize your ongoing effort and thank you for changing the culture of an industry by setting the standard for the way hospitals can and should improve the environment, while maintaining quality patient care,” Laura Brannen, Director of Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, said of Jefferson’s achievement.

The Making Medicine Mercury Free Award is a one-time award given to facilities that have met the challenge of becoming virtually mercury-free. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin and developmental toxin. It can impact human health at extremely low levels and health care facilities can be a major contributor to mercury air emissions. Hospitals that receive this award meet stringent benchmarks for mercury elimination.

The H2E Partners for Change Award recognizes hospitals that acknowledge and act upon the crucial link between community and environmental health. The award is given annually to facilities that have made significant and sustainable progress toward reducing waste, preventing pollution, and eliminating mercury. Recipients reduce, reuse, and/or recycle at least 10 percent of their total waste each year, and often find that these pollution prevention programs benefit both their communities.

"It is my wish that the H2E awards will increase environmental awareness in hospitals and encourage them to be aware of what they can to do improve the environmental quality in their communities," said Ed Barr, Manager of Support Services at Jefferson University Hospital.

Hospitals for a Healthy Environment is jointly founded by the American Hospital Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, Health Care without Harm, and the American Nurses Association. H2E strives to educate health care professionals about pollution prevention opportunities, rewards the sector’s best performers, and provides a wealth of practical tools and resources to facilitate the industry’s movement toward environmental sustainability.