Cutting-Edge Sustainability Models for Health Care Employers: Delivering Well-Being to Patients, Employees, and the Community

CME/MOC: 1.0
TRACK: Environmental Health and Risk Management

Ismail Nabeel, MD, MPH, FACOEM, Mount Sinai Health Systems, New York, NY
Emily Senay, MD, MPH, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY

Many hospitals and academic medical centers have addressed the issue of environmental sustainability through the “greening” paradigm. Under this paradigm, hospitals seek to become green or “less bad” by recycling more, reducing energy, and supporting employee and patient wellness programs that reduce environmental footprints. These efforts either stand alone or run alongside operations or the executive suite. In contrast, over the past decades many businesses and corporations have not only been able to reduce their carbon footprint, but are now aspiring to do “more good” (increase human well-being). This concept is known as NET positive. This session will discuss cutting-edge sustainability concepts and make the case for a new health care business paradigm where hospitals embrace NET positivity and become leaders in delivering well-being to patients, employees, and community members.