SUNY Upstate Medical University Hailed For Climate Impact
Recognized by the ACUPCC’s Celebrating Sustainability series
April 20, 2012 — The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University has been recognized for its cutting-edge work in promoting environmental sustainability by the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), an agreement between nearly 700 colleges and universities to promote sustainability through teaching and action.
SUNY Upstate was hailed for its ability to embrace a holistic approach to sustainability while maintaining the highest standards of patient care and safety in its various hospitals.
In its successful drive toward implementing sustainable practices, Upstate Medical University faced the additional challenge of having its hospitals consume 75 percent of Upstate’s energy usage and solid waste generation. It dealt with this challenge through various recycling and operational adjustments that resulted in almost $600,000 in annual savings and the elimination of 95 tons of waste.
The ACUPCC acknowledged SUNY Upstate efforts as part of its Celebrating Sustainability series, which identifies signatories that exemplify the initiative’s mission to re-stabilize the earth’s climate through education, research and community engagement. Celebrating Sustainability is formally recognizing a different institution every day in April leading up to Earth Day on April 22nd.
“SUNY Upstate has developed unique approaches to integrating sustainability and practicality. By reprocessing and recycling a range of items from compression sleeves to titanium clamps and phasing out paper records, the university is not only serving its patients with the highest standard of care—it is serving the environment as well,” said Dr. Anthony D. Cortese, president of Second Nature, the lead supporting organization of the ACUPCC. “Upstate Medical University’s mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Thomas Pelis, Upstate’s assistant vice president for facilities and management and chair of the university’s Sustainability Task Force. “Our campus-wide sustainability efforts help us support that mission through our expansive energy conservation and recycling efforts to reduce waste and save natural resources.”
About SUNY Upstate Medical University
SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, is the only academic medical center in Central New York. It is also the region’s largest employer with 9,460 employees. Affiliated with the State University of New York, Upstate’s mission is to improve the health of the community through education, biomedical research and health care. Upstate Medical University’s educational mission is anchored by its four colleges—Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions and Graduate Studies (biomedical sciences). Since 2006, student enrollment has grown by 30% as Upstate responds to the needs of the region.
Learn more at: http://www.upstate.edu
