Bridgeport, WV – WVU Medicine United Hospital Center (UHC) has received the Environmental Excellence Award from Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions. This designation is reserved for hospitals that demonstrate outstanding leadership in healthcare sustainability and overall hospital quality through single-use device (SUD) reprocessing.
SUD reprocessing involves cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing devices intended for single use after they have been used on a patient and then reusing them. In 2024, the UHC reprocessing program successfully diverted 1,184 pounds of medical waste from landfills.
“Stryker is pleased to honor UHC’s continued dedication to achieving both environmental and financial sustainability,” Natalie Ward, vice president and general manager of Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions, said. “With a heightened focus on improving value in today’s healthcare environment, UHC leads by example with their commitment to sustainability initiatives that reduce costs and optimize resources in order to support quality care.”
Leading hospitals across the nation are continuing to pursue initiatives to reduce the environmental footprint of healthcare delivery. Among these initiatives, SUD reprocessing stands out as an environmental practice that not only dramatically reduces the amount of medical waste, but, at the same time, it frees significant resources for the hospital – all without capital investment.
“In today’s healthcare environment, there is a heighten focus to minimize the environmental footprint,” Liberty Kincaid, CST, ASTT, manager of Supply Chain Utilization at UHC, said. “At UHC, we are committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, all while continuing to provide excellent care to our patients.”
UHC is in the distinguished company of other leading hospitals that are implementing reprocessing programs. In fact, reprocessing programs are currently employed by nearly all the U.S. News & World Report “Honor Roll” hospitals.
