Inova Health System to Celebrate Earth Day with “Green” Activities

Hospital Events Include Farmers Market, Plant Swap, Scrub Exchange

Falls Church, VA – (April 16, 2009) — Inova Health System is celebrating Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, with special activities at each hospital campus. Inova’s Earth Day plans not only represent the organization’s recognition of its environmental responsibilities, but also celebrate the System’s expanded commitment to sustainability. Inova added a Sustainability Engineer in late 2008, and set goals for reductions in waste, energy and water.

“Our Earth Day activities involve a series of steps that help make people aware of their decisions,” said Knox Singleton, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “Our leadership is committed to bringing about a culture change that encourages all of our employees to be more environmentally conscious, especially at work but also in their personal lives.”

Some of the Earth Day activities planned for April 22 include seedling giveaways, farmers markets that feature produce purchased from local farms, and scrub exchanges. Following is a list of the activities planned for each Inova hospital:

Inova Alexandria Hospital
Tree Seedling Giveaway
Scrub Exchange
Office Supply Exchange

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
Farmers Market
Tree Seedling Giveaway
Reusable Grocery Bag Giveaway
Office Supply Exchange

Inova Fairfax Hospital
Earth Day Fair
Tree Planting Ceremony (11 am)
Farmers Market

Inova Loudoun Hospital
Plant Exchange/Giveaway
Seedling Giveaway
Photo Contest
Reusable Water Bottle Giveaway

Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
Scrub Exchange
Seedling Giveaway

In addition, employees at Inova Fairfax Hospital will participate in a week-long spring cleaning event beginning April 20. Intended to reduce the hospital’s contribution to landfills, the reduce-reuse-recycle challenge will ensure that items, such as end-of-life furniture, are donated to charity rather than dumped in the trash. Inova will conclude Earth Week by hosting a booth at the Hartwell Eagle Festival in Lorton highlighting the System’s sustainability efforts.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.

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