Our Commitment
BMC is reimagining healthcare to empower all patients to thrive. Healthcare extends far beyond the four walls of a hospital; your environment directly impacts your health and wellbeing. We see sustainability as a critical extension of BMC's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our community. We are dedicated to helping our patients with these environmental root causes of poor health and addressing systemic inequities on the road to true environmental justice.
Sustainability and Clinical Health
Boston Medical Center Health System deeply understands that our environment is intrinsic to our health. With our innovative sustainability initiatives, we are addressing root causes of poor health.
Did you know that in Roxbury and Dorchester, asthma rates are higher than anywhere else in Boston? Patients in our local communities are disproportionately at risk for exposure to environmental hazards that relate to poor health — including heart disease, COPD, diabetes, and more. BMCHS is dedicated to positively impacting our environment to help our patients and community.
That includes initiatives including our rooftop farms, which strengthen at-risk local food systems, reduce our carbon footprint, and increase green space, all while supporting our innovative clinical program, the Preventative Food Pantry, where physicians "prescribe" supplemental foods that facilitate health and recovery for many clinical diagnoses.
Environmental Justice
BMCHS' environmental justice stewardship will help dismantle structural barriers so our communities can access environmental protections that have often been unavailable to historically disinvested areas, paving the way for these communities to thrive in the long term.
We're committed to making Boston the healthiest urban population, and decarbonizing our operations to minimize our environmental impact is vital, but it's only a piece of the puzzle. At BMCHS, we have a track record of pioneering sustainability initiatives.
Clean Power Prescription is a first-in-the-nation pilot that enables BMC providers to write patients a prescription for a reduced utility bill, supporting economic and environmental health and bringing low-income households the benefits of clean, less-expensive renewable solar power. Our Brockton Behavioral Health Center is cutting-edge net-zero facility, intentionally designed as a major investment into the health and wellness of a historically underserved community. And we partner with government and local organizations to create a more just energy transition.
Reinvesting in Our Patients
For BMCHS, sustainability is a smart business strategy. Our green programs and practices will avert costs and save money, allowing us to reinvest back into patient care.
Our pioneering energy efficiency programs and reduced consumption have created an estimated $3 billion in projected revenue, and our sustainability efforts to date have allowed us to reduce BMC's utility bills by $8 million per year. All of this revenue and cost savings has been reallocated back into patient care.
Collaborating for Change
We’re excited to announce a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Takeda. The collaboration aims to help decarbonize healthcare by finding ways to reduce emissions from disposal of regulated medical waste, including pharmaceutical packaging. Together, we’re working to create healthier communities for all. Watch the video to learn more.
Interested in collaborating with Boston Medical Center? Contact partnerships@bmc.org.
Our Team
Our team is dedicated to integrating sustainability into every aspect of our work. BMCHS' new physician advocate role, Medical Director of Climate and Sustainability, which is held by Anna Goldman, is one of only 25 of its kind nationally, helping us lead the way in modeling care at the intersection of environment and health.
Dave Maffeo
Executive Director of Support Services and Sustainability
Senior Director of Support Services at Boston Medical Center (BMC), is responsible for the efficient coordination of support services at the hospital. These services include food and nutrition, environmental services, patient transport, interpreter and guest support services. David also leads BMC’s Preventive Food Pantry, Teaching Kitchen and rooftop farm, which are focused on teaching and supporting patients and staff. David leads BMC’s sustainability efforts and is an active member of the emergency management team.
We have no time to waste in getting to net-zero. This is a chance for BMCHS to showcase what health systems can do to not only give back to our communities, but lead the charge on a renewable future. Anna Goldman, Medical Director of Climate and Sustainability, on BMCHS' Clean Power PrescriptionRead more
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