Veterans Health Administration
Veterans and Medical Centers Celebrate Earth Day
The Martinsburg VAMC Police Department has been using the T3 Patroller since 2010 because of its ability to provide rapid response and access to narrow or restricted spaces. The elevated deck allows for a better field of view.
Martinsburg VA Medical Center Hosts Earth Day Celebration and Open House
The Martinsburg Veteran Affairs Medical Center in West Virginia is inviting the community to attend its fifth annual Earth Day open house on April 22.
The event will highlight the medical center’s green initiatives. We are expecting the participation of five local schools. Visitors will have a chance to see a few of the recent green innovations during bus and walking tours around the campus.
The tour highlights include the green renovations, electric vehicles and solar charging station, food waste composting program, nature-based therapy techniques such as our greenhouse, sun tubes, on-site recycling initiatives, as well as advanced storm water management techniques.
In recent years, the medical center was recognized with the GreenGov Presidential Good Neighbor Award and the VA Sustainability Achievement Award for its programs and efforts to protect the environment. The most recent award was the 2014 Green Award presented to the Green Environmental Management (GEM) Committee by the Berkeley Community Pride in March 2015.
Saving the Earth and protecting our environment.
Biloxi VA Wins Award for Environmental Excellence
Veteran Charles Yeager won the Earth Day Mural Contest in 2013. His murals are now displayed on recycle bins throughout the Biloxi VA Medical Center.
When it comes to saving lives, Veterans have learned to rely on VA and their team of health care providers. But when it comes to saving the earth and protecting our environment, did you know you can also turn to energy-conscientious employees of VA?
Florida artist Marlin Miller used the remains of an oak tree struck by lightning as his canvas when he carved two eagles in front of the Community Living Center at the Biloxi VA Medical Center. VA employee Forrest Stevens had suggested that rather than removing the lifeless tree, it could be carved into a beautiful piece of art.On April 3, 2015, the Biloxi VA Medical Center was notified by the Practice Greenhealth Awards Team of their selection as a winner of this year’s Partner Recognition Award for Environmental Excellence. Practice Greenhealth is an organization focused on environmental stewardship in the health care community.
The Biloxi VA Medical Center is part of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, located along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Our Environmental Management Service, in collaboration with Patient Safety and Engineering Services, developed environmental and sustainability goals for 2014 and made substantial gains in the following areas:
Energy conservation — 35 percent reduction in energy consumption.
Renewable energy — Completed major installation project for photoelectric arrays on three buildings in 2014, which can provide as much as 17 percent of energy needs during maximum production.
Reuse and recycling— Biloxi campus diverted 58 percent of its solid waste into recycling and reuse streams.
Reducing hazardous chemicals — 78 gallons of ethanol and 72 gallons of xylene were recovered through distillation.
Alternative fuel — Purchased 23 additional electric vehicles in 2014, bringing the total number to 104 operational units.
Every day is Earth Day
With the mindset that every day is Earth Day, our employees have identified the following goals for 2015:
- Recycle grounds maintenance waste through recycling mulch, compost and reuse.
- Set up a campus E85 fueling station to further reduce the amount of gasoline consumed. Install solar-powered crosswalk signage on campus.
- Educate employees on benefits of recycling and keeping recyclable products away from landfills.
