[April 7, 2016] Demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and common-sense energy solutions, Advocate Health Care, the faith-based, not-for-profit health system based in Downers Grove, Illinois, has signed on as the 19th member of the U.S. Health Care Climate Council. 

The organization has made a series of notable commitments to sustainable health care, especially in the areas of energy reduction, green buildings and fostering a culture of sustainability at its facilities. The health system also served as one of the 11 founding organizations of the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, making strides in each of the six HHI Challenge areas, including: Engaged Leadership, Healthier Food, Less Waste, Leaner Energy, Safer Chemicals, and Smarter Purchasing. Additionally, Advocate Health Care has received numerous Practice Greenhealth awards, including the 2015 Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award, the 2015 System for Change Award, and the Circles of Excellence for Engaged Leadership, Safer Chemicals, Environmentally-Preferable Purchasing, Energy, and Green Building Circles.

“Joining the Health Care Climate Council is a natural next step in fulfilling our commitment to care for the individuals, families and communities we’re proud to serve,” said Al Manshum, senior vice president of operations integration and optimization at Advocate Health Care. “We’re excited to work with other members of the council to share best practices, make investments in our collective future and inspire others in the industry to take leadership on the pressing issue of climate change.”

Advocate Health Care operates more than 250 sites of care and 12 acute-care hospitals, including two of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals, the state’s largest integrated children’s network and one of the region’s largest medical groups. It is the largest health system in Illinois. 

Established by Health Care Without Harm, the Health Care Climate Council is a leadership network of hospitals committed to strengthening the health sector’s response to climate change. The Council’s mission is to amplify public and private responses to climate change by:

• Accelerating investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Scaling the health sector’s adoption of climate change mitigation and resiliency programs
• Advocating for local, state, and national policies that ensure a sustainable and healthy future consistent with our collective vision for healthy individuals and communities

Council membership is open to hospitals and health systems that recognize climate change is one of single largest threats to public health and are committed to addressing the causes and impacts of climate change.

About the Health Care Climate Council

Established by Health Care Without Harm, the Health Care Climate Council is a leadership network of hospitals committed to strengthening the health sector’s response to climate change.