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| Patterson man recognized for hospital recycling |
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| Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 30 July 2008 | |
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There’s a Patterson man behind the national attention St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton has been receiving. John Kendle, the director of operations and support services at St. Joseph’s, has been heading the hospital’s recycling program for about three years. Each of those years, the hospital has earned a spot in the Environmental Leadership Circle, the highest honor awarded by Practice Greenhealth. “It’s kind of made us famous,” Kendle said. “Put us on the map.” Practice Greenhealth is a nonprofit national networking organization for environmentally conscious health care institutions. Its primary goal is to create and encourage eco-friendly practices and products to be used in hospitals and other health-related businesses. St. Joseph’s, Stockton’s largest private employer, has managed to reduce the amount of waste it sends to the landfill by about 30 percent. When Kendle took over the program the hospital had been sending 78 percent of its waste to a landfill. “We’re up to almost 7,000 pounds of paper a week that we recycle,” Kendle said. The program he’s been managing has been at the forefront of a movement insiders are calling a “green tsunami.” “He’s a leader and a champion in recycling,” said Stan Cahill, Practice Greenhealth’s senior director of membership. Kendle never expected to be a leader or a champion of the green hospital movement. In fact, he initially resisted joining the program. However, the tenacity of a woman who works at the hospital finally convinced him to give it a shot, he said. “Now, I’m running around the home looking for things to recycle,” Kendle said. “I found it’s rewarding.” That commitment has led the hospital to again be recognized in Practice Greenhealth’s Environmental Leadership Circle. To be considered for this honor, a facility must virtually eliminate its use of mercury, recycle at least 25 percent of its waste, enact other pollution prevention programs and be an environmental leader in its community. The facility must also complete an annual report to maintain its spot in the circle. According to Practice Greenhealth’s Web site, 27 health care facilities are currently in the Environmental Leadership Circle. St. Joseph’s is one of just three in California, joining Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and first-time inductee Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. Kendle has also received kudos from numerous government agencies, including the office of Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced. His pride and enthusiasm shine when he explains the programs he’s implemented. “Imagine if every medical facility did half of what we did,” Kendle said. “I think it’s the wave of the future.” One the most successful programs has been a needle disposal system. Perhaps unexpectedly, the program is also cheaper. “So many companies and vendors are coming up with new products that do save money — why wouldn’t you do it?” Kendle said. The “sharps” disposal program allows hospital workers to properly dispose of used needles without using a new container each time. Now, the containers are re-used, saving the hospital about $5,000 annually and reducing the amount of trash shipped to a landfill. “It’s easier to do than ever before,” Kendle said. Getting employees to change their habits can be difficult, but Kendle said if the new programs are explained well, people are usually happy to do their part. “They just come out of the woodwork and say ‘Thank you,’” Kendle said. “For the most part, people want to do the right thing, but they don’t know what it is.” It’s not just employees that are turning to Kendle. Administrators from other hospitals are asking him for advice as they implement recycling programs. “There’s a lot more people with commitment and passion,” Kendle said. Kendle’s plans for the future are to continue to drop the amount of waste the hospital sends to the landfill. The goal is to be down to 50 percent in the next three years. “I find it very rewarding that I, John Kendle, have been able to make a difference,” he said. For information: www.practicegreenhealth.org Comments
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Joe Sikora
Margaret Mary Community Hospital
226 Mitchell Ave.
Batesville, IN
47006