The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Ohio State health science colleges are committed to addressing the social determinants of health, which includes the impact of the environment and climate change. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, climate effects can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, weather-related injuries and premature deaths, changes in access and geographical distribution of food, threats to mental health and the development of water-borne illnesses and infectious diseases. These health risks are in part why we made the decision to join the Health Care Climate Council in early 2022, as well as to join the global Health Care Climate Challenge.

It‘s important to recognize that great health starts with a healthy environment. As a top-rated academic health center, we’re committed to doing our part to tackle climate change by being responsible stewards of our resources through improving and maintaining efficient operations, conducting innovative research and implementing ideas that promote sustainability. This year’s sustainability report highlights several outstanding achievements and initiatives that are in alignment with both the medical center’s strategic plan and the university’s resource stewardship goals. We acknowledge and applaud the contributions of our faculty, staff and students who have focused on improving the health of our community, while reducing our environmental impact and simultaneously providing extraordinary patient care.

Sincerely,

Jay Anderson
Chief Operating Officer
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Frank Aucremanne, PE, MSCE, CHFM
Associate Vice President of Space and Facility Planning
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center