Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest Medical Center at UC San Diego Health have been named one of the Top 25 hospitals in the nation for exceptional sustainability efforts in health care by Practice Greenhealth, an organization that provides environmental solutions to hospitals and health systems across the United States.
“As an academic health system, we are deeply committed to advancing health care not only through clinical practice and research, but also through leadership in environmental stewardship,” said Brendan Kremer, chief operating officer at UC San Diego Health. “In today’s changing world, our patients and communities count on us to provide extraordinary care and lead with foresight and integrity. Sustainability reinforces our commitment to health equity and community well-being by addressing environmental factors that influence health outcomes.”
For the 2025 Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards, 496 health care organizations across the country are being recognized for their sustainable health care approach. This is the second time medical campuses at UC San Diego Health have been named Top 25 in the nation.
“Healthy people depend on a healthy planet and the practices we’ve implemented positively impact both the health of patients and team members in meaningful ways,” said Monica Nakielski, director of sustainability at UC San Diego Health. “Whether it’s reducing exposure to harmful chemicals, enhanced recycling programs, or offering more sustainable food choices, these efforts directly support well-being and a shared sense of purpose.”
Nakielski adds that team members often express pride in working for an organization that aligns with their values and demonstrates environmental responsibility in action.
“In health care, it can be challenging to maintain a sustainable posture while providing around-the-clock care, but we know we can achieve incredible things when we are able to align in unison, which we have,” said Whit Robinson, chief administrative officer for facilities, capital management, retail, hospitality, hospital and offsite services at UC San Diego Health. “As a leader in the medical community and the San Diego region, it is our responsibility to be a sustainability champion that continues to inspire other industries to help us improve our planet.”
“Our Top 25 awardees reflect a powerful movement in health care,” said Shanda Demorest, senior director of network experience & solutions at practice Greenhealth. “By adopting clean energy, reducing waste, designing climate-resilient infrastructure and engaging in frontline communities, these facilities are proving that environmental responsibility and health care excellence go hand in hand.”
In response to the climate crisis, the University of California (UC) established its UC Sustainable Practices Policy to include climate protection, transportation, sustainable building operations, zero waste, procurement, food, energy, water, and health and well-being. In 2019, UC San Diego Health launched the region’s first health care program focused solely on sustainability.
Collective efforts to address climate change and mitigate pollution at UC San Diego Health include:
- Created a position for the region’s first medical director of sustainability.
- Launched clinician toolkits for climate hazards, such as extreme heat, floods and wildfire smoke.
- Launched a Zero Waste Food Program in hospital cafeterias that diverts unused food from the landfill and instead helps those in need through a food donation program.
- Created a Climate Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) tool, the first of its kind in the United States, which adapts an existing tool used by emergency managers nationwide to ensure we remain resilient against climate change.
- Contributed to the Climate Resilience Health Care Toolkit developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Climate Change and Health Equity.
- Eliminated the use of desflurane, an anesthetic gas that is 2500 times more harmful to the atmosphere than CO2.
- Launched the green certification program, which empowers every area of our health system to be educated and engaged in sustainability efforts, such as waste reduction, proper toxin elimination practices, and energy and water conservation.
- Use intravenous (IV) fluid bags that are free from harmful chemicals, such as DEHP and PVC, which has been linked to potential health concerns.
- Began a recycling program in operating rooms.
- Utilize thermal storage tanks to power air conditioning systems, which reduces energy use.
The University of California’s formal sustainability commitments began in 2003. The policy guides efforts across the 10 campuses, five academic health centers, including UC San Diego Health, and other university facilities in thirteen areas of sustainable practice.
The future of sustainability at UC San Diego Health is rooted in creating more resilient spaces for patients, team members and the community in order to navigate the evolving challenges of a changing world. Future development projects — including the McGrath Outpatient Pavilion at Hillcrest Medical Center set to open in Summer 2025, along with future plans for East Campus Medical Center and Jacobs Medical Center — are being guided by principles of sustainability, safety and adaptability.
“This award from Practice Greenhealth is a nationally recognized honor that validates our commitment, actions and accomplishments in environmental stewardship within health care,” said Nakielski. “We are facing challenging times and sustainability remains an evolving space. Yet, there is gratitude in this moment and it’s pushing us to think differently.”
UC San Diego Health, the region’s only academic medical center, also received the 2024 Practice Greenhealth Emerald Award and Greening the Operating Room Award from Practice Greenhealth for the third consecutive year. As part of the recognition, UC San Diego Health was also named in the Circles of Excellence in 2024 (awarded to the top 10 organizations in the nation) for leadership in sustainable food, green building, and transportation, as well a first-time award for overall leadership.
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