May 1 , 2007

Contact:
Pat Smith
Corporate Communications & Public Relations, LHSC
519-685-8500, ext. 77062

Ecological Stewardship Week Launches at LHSC

(London, ON) – London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is launching their Ecological Stewardship Awareness Week, April 30 – May 4, 2007.

Phil Renaud, Director of Engineering at LHSC, leads the Awareness Week activities. “Our Ecological Stewardship program is a holistic approach to reducing the impact of LHSC operations on the environment,” says Renaud.

LHSC’s eco-stewardship team is already leading the way with Energy Awareness initiatives that started in 2000. LHSC has reduced their carbon dioxide emission by 13 million kilograms since 2003. The organization has now set goals in the areas of Green Procurement and Waste Reduction. The team will work with vendor partners to increase access to the best available technologies within the hospital.

A series of awareness activities will take place this week, including lunch and learn staff sessions, displays of hybrid vehicles, the introduction of LHSC’s Carpool Zone – a ride share program, and the introduction of the new Ecological Stewardship website.

“Understanding our impact and creating positive change – that is what the LHSC Ecological Stewardship Program focuses on,” says Renaud.

About London Health Sciences Centre

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals and is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. LHSC has pioneered many national and international medical breakthroughs. Located in London, Ontario, LHSC encompasses three sites, South Street Hospital, University Hospital and Victoria Hospital; two family medical centres; and the London Regional Cancer Program. LHSC is the home of the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario and CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics). LHSC is affiliated with The University of Western Ontario. Physicians and staff at LHSC number more than 9,000 and together they provided care for more than 1 million patients last year.