UCI Health earns highest national recognition for sustainability initiatives

Annual Practice Greenhealth Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award honors environmental leadership, innovation in healthcare

Orange, Calif. — UCI Health ― Orange, formerly known as UCI Medical Center, has been recognized as one of the nation’s top hospitals leading sustainability transformation with the prestigious Practice Greenhealth Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award.

This is the first time the hospital has received the Top 25 honor and the fourth consecutive year it has been recognized by the organization with an award.

"This award further underscores the leadership of UCI Health in environmental stewardship and excellence in sustainable healthcare practices," said Chad T. Lefteris, president and CEO of UCI Health.

"At the heart of our efforts to integrate sustainable practices into our organization is a dedication to the health and well-being of our community. We are proud to lead by example in the transformation of healthcare.”

Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care. More than 1,400 U.S. hospitals and healthcare systems are part of the Practice Greenhealth network.

Mercury-free medicine

UCI Health ― Orange also received the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award, which recognizes organizations that have made significant steps toward eliminating mercury from their facilities.

Mercury is popular in healthcare, found in thermometers and other devices. It’s also dangerous; spills are considered a health threat.

UCI Health has taken steps to eliminate the liquid metal and replace devices that contain it with safer alternatives, such as digital thermometers.

Sustainability leader

UCI Health is proud to be at the forefront of healthcare sustainability. As one of the largest academic health systems in California, it is answering the urgent call to build a model that is resilient to the growing threat of climate change.

UCI Health ― Irvine, the first all-electric hospital in California and the nation’s largest, opens in December 2025.

In addition:

• In 2022, UCI Health signed The White House/Department of Health & Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge. In signing the pledge, UCI Health has committed to climate resilience and emissions reduction that includes cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
• Continued focus on Energy Management & Decarbonization has led to a steady decrease in emissions, 45% reduction from our 2019 baseline.
• At UCI Health ― Orange, the facilities team has transitioned more than 95% of its landscaping equipment from gas-powered to cleaner, quieter battery-powered tools.
• UCI Health decreased the use of nitrous oxide by over 80% and eliminated the use of desflurane, an inhaled anesthetic gas with the highest global warming potential
• Established a Healthy Interiors program and increased our volume of sustainable furniture (having no chemicals of concern) purchases by 82%.

A Sustainability Leadership Committee drives sustainability initiatives across the organization. This 20-member multidisciplinary group formed in 2023 and is co-chaired by the chief operating officer and the energy management and sustainability officer.

“In a shifting healthcare landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” said Gary Cohen, the founder of Practice Greenhealth.

“UCI Health demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation, and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”