Practice Greenhealth has awarded Mason Health the prestigious Greenhealth Champion Award, signaling the District’s enduring commitment to environmentally responsible health care practices. This marks the ninth time Mason Health has won an award recognition from Practice Greenhealth since 2021. Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading nonprofit membership and networking organization for sustainable health care.
The Greenhealth Champion Award celebrates health care facilities and systems championing the growth and development of their sustainability programs. Mason Health was the first member of the Washington Rural Health Collaborative to join Practice Greenhealth in 2020, and has since developed and strengthened a myriad of eco-friendly initiatives across the District.
“At Mason Health, caring for our community goes beyond the walls of our facilities,” said Don Welander, Public Hospital District No. 1 Board President. “The Greenhealth Champion Award acknowledges the work our organization has done to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into health care delivery. We are proud of this achievement, which reflects our commitment to protecting both the health of our patients and the well-being of the community we serve.”
Since 2021, the District has received the following Practice Greenhealth awards for our environmental sustainability efforts: Environmental Excellence (2021), Partner for Change/Greenhealth Champion (2022, 2023, 2024, 2026), Greening the Operating Room (2023, 2024), Making Medicine Mercury Free (2024) and the Emerald Award (2025), which was an honor that recognized the top 20 percent of Partner for Change applicants.
Additionally, in 2022 Mason Health earned the Go Clear Award from AORN for eliminating harmful surgical smoke from operating rooms. Beginning in 2022, Mason Health has also earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance.
“The health care sector is claiming its role as a guardian of public health by refusing to contribute to the problem,” said Practice Greenhealth CEO Emily Bancroft. “Sustainability isn’t a side project — it’s a core business strategy that drives resilience, saves money, and, most importantly, fulfills our mission to heal. The health care system of the future – one that heals both the patient and the planet – is being built right here, by Mason Health.”
Mason Health Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps leads the District’s Green Team, identifying and developing sustainable measures throughout the health care system.
“The District’s Green Team is comprised of a dedicated team of multi-disciplinary leaders across the District,” Capps said. “It is their steadfast commitment to our environmental and societal contributions and strategies that propels Mason Health’s recognition in this area forward. I am proud of this team’s accomplishments.”
The Supply Chain department, under the leadership of Director Sean Hazlett, has implemented the following measures in 2025:
- Diverted more than 3,300 single-use devices and 1,300 pounds of medical waste from landfill through a new recycled medical waste program
- Reduced CO2 emissions by 60 metric tons through a new surgical device waste avoidance program
- Developed a printer toner cartridge recycling program through a new partnership with Capital Business Machines
- Continued to use Natural Choice copy paper, which has a 44 percent smaller carbon footprint than traditional paper mills
“Receiving this Practice Greenhealth award is an honor because it reflects years of commitment from employees across Mason Health who believe that caring for our community extends beyond the walls of our hospital and clinics,” Hazlett said. “Environmental stewardship and health care go hand in hand. By reducing waste, improving efficiency, and making thoughtful choices about the resources we use, we’re creating a healthier future for our patients, staff, and everyone who calls Mason County home.”
Mason Health’s Culinary & Nutrition Services Department has been focused on reducing the District’s environmental footprint under the leadership of Ashlee Johnson, Green Team member and Head Chef/Director of Culinary & Nutrition Services. The cafeteria at Mason General Hospital closed for construction in 2025 during the installation of a new High Field Open MRI machine and re-opened this year under a new name – Mountain View Café – with menus that center on local ingredients and local partnerships.
“Our commitment to Practice Greenhealth has helped transform our culinary services, prioritizing a healthier, more sustainable food environment for everyone we serve,” Johnson said.
In the realm of direct patient care, Mason Health’s Surgical Services Department has consistently prioritized sustainable, green initiatives to keep patients and staff healthier, with Director Lori Genson leading the charge. The Surgical Services Department has worked alongside Supply Chain to reduce medical waste and has achieved success in completely eliminating hazardous smoke from surgical procedures.
“I am incredibly proud of our Surgical Services team for earning this Practice Greenhealth Award,” Genson said. “This award recognizes the thoughtful changes our team has made every day to reduce waste, conserve resources, and create a more sustainable operating environment while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. It is an honor to work alongside a team that is passionate about making a lasting difference.”
Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. The Board of Hospital District Commissioners are Don Welander, President, Lori Brady, Secretary, and Pamela Schlauderaff, Trustee. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of one Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, three Partner for Change Awards, two Greening the Operating Room Awards, the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award, the 2025 Emerald Award, and the 2026 Greenhealth Champion Award. To learn more about Mason Health’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.masonhealth.com/about/sustainability-environmental-stewardship. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masonhealth.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.