Children’s National Medical Center Programs Recognized for Community Service and Environmental Excellence by DC Hospital Association
October 19, 2012
Washington, DC— Last night, Children’s National Environmental Sustainability program and IMPACT DC were honored at the District of Columbia Hospital Association’s 34th Annual Banquet. Both programs were recognized for a commitment to supporting and growing a healthy community in the Washington, DC area.
The Environmental Sustainability program at Children’s National was honored with the Environmental Excellence Award for its innovative methods to provide an environmentally responsible health care setting and by reducing the institution’s ecological footprint. In its inaugural year, the program, led by Ekaterina Solovieva, MHA, has implemented seven different initiatives including a pharmaceutical waste program, energy saving initiatives, using Green Seal Certified cleaning products, installing hydroculture plants that are soil-free, and planting a vegetable garden this past summer. Moving into the next year, Environmental Sustainability at Children’s National will expand programming into environmentally preferred purchasing, energy efficient lighting, solar energy planning, improved waste management practices, and fundraising and planning for green roof healing gardens.
DCHA also honored IMPACT DC with the Haynes Rice Community Service Award for the program’s work to improve the care and outcomes of disadvantaged and minority children with asthma in the Washington, DC metro area through clinical care, education, research, and advocacy. With a disproportionately high number of children with asthma in the District of Columbia, IMPACT DC services as a national program model for other institutions. Led by Stephen J. Teach, MD, MPH, one of the main goals of IMPACT DC is to lessen the need for emergency room visits and hospital stays by educating patients and families about ways to manage the condition, and connecting them with valuable resources in the local community. The program is also working to understand why so many children have asthma and to ultimately reduce the number of children that suffer from the disease.
The Annual Banquet recognizes the excellent work of medical institutions in the District of Columbia during the past year.
Contact Emily Hartman or Paula Darte in the Children’s National Public Relations office: 202.476.4500.
About Children's National Health System
Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has served the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is one of the nation’s Top 5 pediatric hospitals and, for a second straight year, is ranked No. 1 in newborn care, as well as ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. It has been designated two times as a Magnet® hospital, a designation given to hospitals that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers in the D.C. Metropolitan area, including the Maryland suburbs and Northern Virginia. Home to the Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is the seventh-highest NIH-funded pediatric institution in the nation. Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.
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