By Jeff Ferenc
Posted July 2, 2014
Health Facilities Management

As Gundersen Health System reaches the zenith of sustainability, Jeffrey E. Thompson, M.D., CEO, explains how attaining this goal — the first health care system to do so — really is about patient health.

For Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wis., energy efficiency and sustainability nirvana is within sight. Gundersen projects that before the end of the year it will achieve total energy independence, making it the first U.S. health care system to do so, its leaders say.

Gundersen, which includes four hospitals and about 75 medical and specialty clinics serving patients in three states, started a program called Envision that provided a broad strategy to offset its energy consumption through conservation and renewable energy projects, most involving local businesses.

In the wake of continually rising energy costs, Gundersen conducted an energy audit in 2008. That led to the application of fundamental yet critical conservation measures that have reached $2 million in annual energy savings.

From there, Gundersen began to explore and utilize an array of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind power and biofuel to generate electricity it either uses or sells to the local power grid. Designing and building energy-efficient facilities is a third key component of the plan.

The result is an estimated $5.4 million and 446 billion Btu of fossil fuel saved since 2008 through conservation efforts and an estimated $2.1 million and 137 billion Btu generated from renewable power sources.

Jeffrey E. Thompson, M.D., Gundersen CEO since 2001, notes that an investment in smart, talented facilities engineers and staff has made it possible. Their ability to decide what projects would work and to reject proposals that did not make sense were critical to staying on course.

Thompson's role cannot be underestimated. Because the health of Gundersen's patients and the communities it serves was a driving force in the plan, his vision for success never wavered. He discusses this journey to energy independence.

Continue reading interview with Jeffrey Thompson from Health Facilities Management