Recent University initiatives to increase environmentally-friendly practices have led to changes in campus operations, construction and even the University Health System.
The Health System has adopted a telemedicine program, which allows patients to virtually visit clinicians without adding to their commute. The program has saved 33,000 gallons of gas and 650,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted, Environment of Care Director Reba Camp said.
A Night Watchman program implemented in 2011, which shuts down non-patient care computers nightly, saves 925,839 KwH of energy annually — translating to $56,569 in savings, Camp said.
“This results in a carbon savings equivalent to taking 92 cars off the road or the CO2 absorption of 62,957 trees,” Camp said.
The Health System has also partnered with Local Food Hub to use food from farmer’s markets in hospital cafeterias. The use of local foods increases nutrient value while decreasing emissions from long-distance food transport, Camp said. The program earned the Health System a Leadership Award from Food Hub in 2011.
Future sustainability programs will expand recycling efforts and reduce the consumption of office paper, ink and toner, Camp said.
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