The Environmental Protection Agency awarded six different Maryland hospitals the Trailblazer Award for their environmental excellence and leadership. T

his is the first time the EPA has awarded facilities in Maryland. The hospitals that received this award were: The VA Maryland Health Care System, Atlantic General Hospital, Montgomery General Hospital, LifeBridge Health, the University of Maryland Medical Center, and the Franklin Square Hospital Center.

This award is given to recognize the hospitals that have been models for other hospitals in terms of using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. According to  Dennis Smith, te director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, said, “The VA Maryland Health Care System can point to measurable results in efforts to reduce waste and to become a greener organization.” For example, these hospitals reduced energy and water use, aimed to purchase local food, as well as developed ways to minimize the use of hazardous chemicals.

The awards were given out at the Environmental Excellence in Health Care Conference on Nov. 5  at the University of Maryland School of Nursing campus.