Submitted by Cynthia Vasquez
Rush Oak Park Hospital is one of three hostiptals in Illinois and the only building in Oak Park with the Energy Star rating
For the third year in a row, Rush Oak Park Hospital has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star rating in recognition of superior energy performance.
As an Energy Star building, Rush Oak Park Hospital uses 35 percent less energy and generates 35 percent fewer greenhouse emissions than similar buildings across the nation.
"Receiving the Energy Star rating again is a huge accomplishment," says James Kaese, V.P., Administrative Services. "I am very proud that in each of the last three years we have continued to improve energy efficiency, especially considering that our building is 104 years old. We could not have done it without the cooperation of our staff, especially our Facilities team."
That team has used a number of innovative tactics to significantly reduce energy consumption in the past three years, including switching light vendors, reinvesting in energy-efficient lighting, and training staff to stagger the startup of equipment and to extinguish lights when not in use.
The hospital's Environmental Stewardship Committee also has focused on increasing staff involvement, recruiting new environmental "stewards," taking the lead on several recycling programs and communicating "green" accomplishments and tips to staff, patients and visitors.
For more information, contact Emily Dogostino in Marketing and Communications at 708-660-3644.
