The Trailblazer Award recognizes Maryland hospitals that have served as models for others and have shown leadership in moving their facilities toward sustainable practices, helping to pave the way for all area hospitals.

The VA Maryland Heath Care System won the award for developing an environmental management system (EMS) and using the EMS to guide environmentally preferable purchasing decisions, reducing energy and water use, purchasing local foods, and developing written procedures for minimizing the purchase and use of hazardous chemicals. Angela Wood, the Green Environmental Management Systems coordinator for the VA’s health care network that includes Maryland, Washington D.C., and West Virginia, accepted the award for the VA Maryland Health Care System.

“The VA Maryland Health Care System can point to measurable results in efforts to reduce waste and to become a greener organization,” said Dennis H. Smith, director of the VA Maryland Health Care System. “This award is a testimony to our efforts in developing and supporting sustainable practices.”

VA Maryland Health Care System recycled in fiscal year ‘09 more than 762,901 lbs (381 tons) of waste, approximately 17 percent of its waste stream. Materials recycled include: toner and ink; scrap metal; wood pallets; batteries; lamps; oil; electronics; confidential documents; and cardboard. “We plan to increase our efforts by initiating a single stream recycling program at all facilities,” Wood said.

“These hospitals are successfully demonstrating leadership and innovation in reducing their environmental footprint,” said Virginia Thompson, sustainable health care manager for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. The EPA has given Trailblazer awards in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region. This is the first time it has awarded Maryland facilities.

Medical care comprises one-sixth of the nation’s economy, and EPA has been working with the health care sector since 1998 to reduce its environmental impact and to help find solutions for reducing pollution. For more information about the Trailblazer Awards, click on this link: www.epa.gov/Region 3/green/healthcare2009_07_02.html

The VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and outpatient care to veterans at two medical centers, one rehabilitation & extended care center and five outpatient clinics located throughout the state. More than 52,000 veterans from various generations receive care from VAHMCS annually. Nationally recognized for its state-of-the-art technology and quality patient care, VAHMCS is proud of its reputation as a leader in veterans’ health care, research and education. It costs nothing for Veterans to enroll for health care with the VA Maryland Health Care System and it could be one of the more important things a Veteran can do. For information about VA health care eligibility and enrollment or how to apply for a VA medical care hardship to avoid future copayments for VA health care, interested Veterans are urged to call the Enrollment Center for the VA Maryland Health Care System, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324 or visit www.maryland.va.gov.