We asked, and you answered!
In January 2022 we put the call out for participants to join a group focused on helping PHC meet its sustainability goals. We’re now happy to share the team has officially been formed (but we still need your help!).
What: The Environmental Stewardship Team (EST)
Who: The team is supported by executive leadership with Tony Munster, Executive Director, Projects, Planning & Facilities Management acting as Sponsor. Additionally, four core Facilitators have signed on to lead, along with a Team Support person to help keep everyone on track and a Permanent Advisor to help guide.
Meet the team organizers:
Aggie Black (Facilitator)
Director, Health Services & Clinical Research and Knowledge Translation
Dr. Amandeep (Anu) Ghuman (Facilitator)
Specialist in General & Colorectal Surgery
Peter Keyes (Team Support)
Administrative Assistant, Projects Planning & Facilities Management, PHC Planning
Theresa McElroy (Facilitator)
Corporate Director, Strategic Planning & Management
Anthony (Tony) Munster (Sponsor)
Executive Director, Projects Planning & Facilities Management, PHC Planning
Karmen Wong (Facilitator)
Cardiology Technologist
Emel Zerrouk (Permanent Advisor)
Sustainability Consultant Energy and Environmental Sustainability (EES Team)
Why: PHC identified environmental sustainability as one of the Foundational Principles in the Mission: Forward Strategic Plan.
This team was created by members of the PHC community, for PHC, to help all of us meet the environmental sustainability challenges identified in this Foundational Principle.
The goal of the group is to coordinate sustainability and climate resilience initiatives within PHC, with the support of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Team (EES)—a regional collaboration team serving Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health—and the Green+Leaders community to move the dial on sustainability work in health care.
What’s next?
Now that the team has been formed, and is being led by medical and non-medical staff from across sites and areas of expertise, who all share an interest in sustainability in health care, it’s time to get to work, and we need your help!
The team will be divided into smaller working groups with the goal of having each group focus on improving sustainability in a particular focus area. Think subjects like:
• waste reduction and redirection,
• food quality and sourcing,
• monitoring and evaluation of sustainability efforts,
• and more!
There’s still time to get involved
While the core facilitators have been identified, the team still need sustainability minded folks to come together to support the various working group initiatives, aka YOU!
• Do you want to support PHC in being a leader in environmental sustainability?
• Do you want to help raise awareness and understanding of current sustainability projects taking place across PHC?
• Do you like working collaboratively to advance sustainable practices?
• Are you interested in helping to implement new practices that will make a real difference in reducing our environmental footprint?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, the Environmental Stewardship Team might be right for you!
The team meets once per month and it would be great to have you stop by and learn more.
When: August 8 at 11:00 am virtually
RSVP: email Peter Keyes at pkeyes@providencehealth.bc.ca to receive a link to the meeting
Can’t make this next meeting? No problem, send Peter an email to ensure you receive the invite for the next scheduled time.
See you soon!
