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Health Care Opportunities

1.  Sign on in support of PAMTA, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (see Programs: Food & Sustainability).

2. Sign on to ensure safer products in healthcare (see Programs: Health Care).    

3.  New Date: 3 Key Steps to Becoming a Sustainable Hospital: Saving Money & Developing a Program 

     Register with DVGBC by linking to the flyer here.

4.  Apply for one of several scholarships to CleanMed!

5.  Receive free bassinet mattresses (size: 12.5" x 26.5" x 1.5" thick) for each bassinet in your hospital.   The waterproof mattress pads from Naturepedic are made of organic cotton, free of polyurethane foam, PBDEs, vinyl, phthalates (DINP, etc.) and are GREENGUARD certified.  They are easily cleanable with warm water and gentle soap/disinfectant.  They will be shipped free to your hospital  The free program is coordinated by Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit organization.  If interested, send name, hospital, shipping address, phone number, and number of bassinets you have through our Contact Us page.  We will forward all requests to the program on a weekly basis.  

Kudos to Julie A. Becker, PHD, MPH, Founder & Board President, for completing her fellowship at the CDC Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute. Her project involved conducting an original research study to 1) describe the practices from stakeholders about prescribing, dispensing and paying for medications and 2) identify barriers and facilitators that can reduce wasting of medications.  The project’s goal is to reduce the amount of unused, unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals from entering the drinking water.  

American Public Health Association’s annual meeting & exposition in Philadelphia, November 7-11, 2009, drew thousands of attendees.

• Julie A. Becker, PhD, MPH, Founder & Board President presented on the use of WHEN’s Hidden Secrets: Toxins in Our Environment video as a tool for educating nurses.
• Dianne Moore, MS, MSW, manager of the Healthy Food in Healthcare program, received a scholarship to attend all meetings, workshops and plenary sessions, as well as a tour of local & seasonal eateries.
• Teresa Méndez-Quigley, MSW, LSW, was co-author of two sessions, including Innovative Nursing Curriculum Promoting a Conscious Social Change Through Healthy Community Partnerships with Mary Bouchaud, MSN,CNS,RN,CRRN.

The Award, presented on September 16, 2009, recognizes WHEN's leadership role in engaging hospitals in organizing such sustainable events and actions as creation of the Hospital Leadership Team for Sustainable Food in Healthcare, the Sustainable Cook Training event, and the Earth Day 2009 event where the five Leadership Team hospitals served meatless meals as a way to help mitigate climate change.

DIANNE & TERESA ACCEPT AWARD FROM EPA & NBC CHANNEL 10’S TERRY RUGGLES

Dianne Moore, WHEN, recently gave two presentations to 130 nurses and nursing faculty and students at the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association’s Environmental Health Conference held September 24, 2009 on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Campaign for Healthy Milk: the Risks of rBGH in Dairy provided an overview of rBGH use in agriculture and dairy products, growing concerns for the risks to human health, and what nurses can do to promote healthier dairy products in healthcare.

Nursing Food Back To Health: Importance of and Ways to Incorporate Sustainable Food into Health Care Facilities addressed the historic changes that have contributed to our current agricultural system and the importance of getting sustainable food into healthcare. 

Nurses were given the challenge to take the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge back to their facilities to start the discussion and introduction to administration to promote healthy food for people and the environment.

As the battle for health care reform wages on Capitol Hill, two hospitals lead a local effort to protect the health of their patients, employees and communities. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, and Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, are restructuring their food offerings toward a more balanced menu for healthier people and a healthier environment.