Green Task Force
As we witness the undeniable effect that climate change continues to have on our world, a coordinated and dedicated approach to environmental sustainability and greening healthcare at Sunnybrook is increasingly imperative.
From the time of the founding of our campuses and in recent history, we have a great track record of environmental initiatives and have been recognized for more than a decade as one of Canada's Greenest Employers. While this is an admirable achievement, we know we can and must do more.
The Green Task Force was established in 2022 to focus on guiding and supporting initiatives that will improve our greening and environmental stewardship at Sunnybrook.
The task force has nineteen members – including 3 community partners – from across our organization with representation from various departments and teams.
The input and efforts from these members continues to be integral to creating change within our organization, and we thank them for their efforts.
The threats to our natural world are complex and addressing them can feel like an overwhelming challenge. However, Sunnybrook is committed to creating lasting change and will be focused on producing tangible results that will have an impact.
Two Years of the Green Task Force
In the second year of the Green Task Force, our team has built on the successes and lessons learned to advance sustainability within Sunnybrook. Evaluation of our initiatives and partnerships is the focus for our working groups.
G: Green Buildings and Grounds
- Engage Sunnybrookers in our mission towards greener buildings and grounds
- Grow and preserve organizational knowledge
- Help advance green standard operating procedures and policies
Achievements »
Discovery Maps for St. John’s Rehab (SJR) and Bayview Campus are coming soon! The Green Buildings and Grounds (GBG) working group have created maps for staff, patients, and families to explore and learn more about the gardens, trees, sculptures and beautiful grounds of Sunnybrook.
An assessment of the Bayview campus’ tree canopy is underway! Students from Toronto Metropolitan University are working with the Environmental Services department and GBG to complete an analysis of the types of tree cover on campus and changes to the campus tree canopy between 2018 and 2022. This project was made possible by the City of Toronto Urban Forestry Grant.
In 2022, the Green Task Force partnered with Trees for Life to plant 500 new trees on the Bayview campus as part of the launch of their Trees for Health campaign, which plants trees in honour of healthcare workers. To commemorate National Tree Day 2023, GBG organized a lunchtime retreat for Task Force members to learn from and work with experts at Cohen & Master to replace five seedlings that had been damaged in the previous winter.
In early 2024, GBG was proud to be represented with Green Task Force and other Sunnybrook leaders at the first Energy, Sustainability & Resiliency workshop for the future Critical Care Tower project!
R: Research, Education, Culture
- Develop educational activities for patients and staff
- Survey Sunnybrook for what would make transportation greener and easier
- Develop a committee of Climate Change Champions
Achievements »
The Green Task Force routinely connects with many departmental green teams to share relevant information and education, and partner on sustainable initiatives.
O: Clinical Operations
- Reduction or elimination of substances with oversized climate impact and limited or no clinical benefit
- Elimination or reduction of products with no evidence of use
- Spread OR Scorecard for sustainability to other procedural areas
Achievements »
With support from the task force, Sunnybrook has aligned with the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN) Department of Surgery’s priorities for “Greening the OR”. These priorities include participating in education and townhalls to collaborate on initiatives and removing desflurane from formulary.
The Green Task Force has collaborated with PEACH (Partnerships for Environmental Action by Clinicians and Communities for Healthcare facilities) and CASCADES (Creating a Sustainable Canadian Health System in Climate Crisis) on a Nitrous Oxide Reduction Project. Globally, nitrous oxide accounts for about 7% of all greenhouse gases and comes from many sources including medical gases. Nitrous oxide contributes to 75% of the global medical greenhouse gas footprint. A project plan and goals for the Nitrous Oxide Project have been set. The project has been added to the Quality Improvement Plan and the initial phase to analyze potential sources of leaks is underway.
W: Waste & Procurement
- Optimize and implement innovative waste reduction strategies
- Integrate sustainable procurement practices at Sunnybrook
Achievements »
The Waste and Procurement Working Group has effectively extended its initial recycling program to cover all staff lounges across the three primary campuses (Bayview, Holland Centre, St. John’s Rehab). A successful educational campaign was conducted during Waste Reduction Week in June to promote proper waste sorting at Sunnybrook. The team is now turning its attention to improving the signage and layout of the patient and staff cafeteria waste area to streamline waste sorting, encompassing recycling and composting.
Additionally, the Working Group is actively engaged in collaborations with different departments within the hospital, including Pharmacy Services, and Food and Nutrition Services, to enhance the integration of sustainability goals.
Other Projects and Initiatives
Earth Week
Every year the Green Task Force hosted several Earth Week events, including guest speaker presentations and a Spring Campus Clean Up.
Fall Tree Planting
After receiving very positive feedback, the Green Task Force is excited to host another tree-planting event at Sunnybrook.
Waste Reduction Week
In October, Sunnybrook will mark Waste Reduction Week.
Meet the co-chairs
Michael Lithgow
Michael is the Manager of Energy & Climate Action in the Plant Operations and Maintenance Department. He is a Professional Engineer, a Certified Energy Manager and a LEED® Accredited Professional. He has worked for over 30 years in energy efficiency and green buildings, but is particularly pleased to have helped bring diverse sustainability initiatives to Sunnybrook including beehives, electric vehicle chargers, Bike Share and cogeneration. Now, with the creation of this Task Force, Michael is eager to further collaborate with colleagues from across the organization to achieve ever greater sustainability for our Sunnybrook community and the planet.
Dr. Susan Deering
Susan is the Division Lead for Long Term Care in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Sunnybrook. She is deeply concerned about the changes we have been and will be experiencing as a result of climate change, particularly the impact on human health. As the health care sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and waste, Susan feels strongly that we must act to reduce our contribution. She has been working with an interprofessional team to reduce the impact that comes from certain types of inhaled medications within the Sunnybrook community. She is currently working on her Master of Public Health, with a focus on the impact of climate change on human health. Susan is excited about the opportunity to be part of creating solutions at Sunnybrook, and working together with other people who are also passionate about these issues.
Genny Ng
Genny is the Manager of Quality & Patient Safety at Sunnybrook. Genny oversees Accreditation preparations for the organization and leads quality improvement initiatives with an aim to provide appropriate patient care. Genny has worked at Sunnybrook for over 12 years, prior to joining the department of Quality & Patient Safety, she worked as a Respiratory Therapist caring for critically ill patients. Genny’s passion for sustainability sparked when she read about the global decline in bee populations and their impact on future food security; this led her to help bring beehives to Sunnybrook. Genny is excited to serve as a co-chair for this Task Force to implement sustainable change to clinical processes, supply management, and raise awareness for a sustainable health system.
Membership list »
- Amisha Soni – Decision Support
- Anton Rabindran – Corporate Planning and Development
- Barb McArthur – OR
- Christina Ramsay – Medical Imaging
- Christina Topp – Foundation
- Danette Beechinor – Pharmacy
- David Guo – Strategy and Integration
- Eric Cohen – Cardiology
- Jennifer Mahboob – Admin
- Lisa Cheung – Infection Prevention and Control
- Moira Hennebury – Emergency Preparedness
- Rachelle Hall – Strategy and Integration
- Samira Hussein – Scheduling Office
- Sara Abu-Middin – Environmental Services
- Talitha Brush – Equity and Social Accountability
- Thiviyaa Mohanaraj – Veterans Centre
- Chamundeeswari Srinivasan – Community Member
- Susan Humphrey – Community Member
- Vivian Sim Simbul – Community Member
