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White Plains, N.Y. — NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's Westchester Division is the first hospital to join Westchester County's Westchester Green Business Challenge, a program which encourages companies and organizations to voluntarily "green" their operations and the environment.

"NewYork-Presbyterian/ Westchester is strongly committed to reducing its energy emissions and contributing to the "greening" of our surrounding community. We are pleased to join the Westchester Green Business Challenge and hope to serve as a model to other hospital facilities," says Dr. Philip J. Wilner, vice president and medical director of behavioral health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College.

According to Dr. Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester, "NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's commitment to sign on to the Westchester's green business challenge is another clear indication of how important sustainability issues are to our business community. The health care sector represents such an important economic force; having the hospital as a participant shows their innovation and dedication to a green Westchester."

Over the past several years, NewYork-Presbyterian/ Westchester has undertaken a number of environmental initiatives, including the following:

• Changing procurement policies to purchase only ENERGY STAR rated appliances, including computers
• Participating in monthly "unpower hours," when employees voluntarily unplug all non-critical electrical devices
• Replacing incandescent with compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Installing occupancy light sensors and timers
• Improving building maintenance, such as repairing steam leaks and better insulation
• Circulating "Green Tips" to employees with ideas on how to save energy, reduce emissions, and recycle
• Incorporating energy conservation measures into refurbishment programs:
  • Cleaning existing HVAC diffusers to maintain proper operations
  • Installing high efficiency LED exit signs
  • Installing T5 Lighting Fixtures
  • Installing Water Sense Certified Plumbing Fixtures

Joining the Westchester Green Business Challenge is another avenue for NewYork-Presbyterian to promote energy conservation efforts from the national to the grassroots level. On the national level, the Hospital is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR and Climate Leaders program and the Department of Energy's EnergySmart Hospitals initiative and Energy Alliance Steering Committee. Since 2005, the EPA has recognized NewYork-Presbyterian with its ENERGY STAR Award for leadership in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. In 2005 and 2006, the Hospital received Partner of the Year awards for Energy Management. In 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012, the Hospital received awards for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management — the energy program's highest honor.

NewYork-Presbyterian/ Westchester also has been acknowledged as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) by the EPA. NewYork-Presbyterian/ Westchester has met the standard of excellence by offering shuttle services between its Westchester campus and mass transportation, and its Weill Cornell campus in Manhattan.

On the local level, the Hospital participates in the New York Energy Consumers Council and hosts energy fair events where employees and their families learn about energy conservation, in addition to regular web-based energy awareness education and "Energy in Kids" outreach. On April 26th, the hospital will celebrate Earth Day with activities and presentations to continue to educate employees on the hospital's "green" initiatives.

Westchester Green Business Challenge

The Westchester Green Business Challenge (WGBC) is a friendly competition open to all 35,000 businesses in Westchester County, New York. Developed by Westchester County in partnership with The Business Council of Westchester, the WGBC is designed to help companies move down the path toward environmental sustainability while improving performance and saving money. The program is modeled after ICLEI's successful Chicago Green Office Challenge but designed specifically for Westchester's diverse business community.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division, opened in 1894, is one of the world's most advanced centers for psychiatric care. NewYork-Presbyterian/ Westchester serves children, adolescents, adults and the elderly with comprehensive outpatient, day treatment, partial hospitalization and inpatient services. In addition to clinical treatment, the Westchester Division is a center for interdisciplinary medical research and education through its academic affiliate, Weill Cornell Medical College. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital also comprises NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area and is consistently ranked among the best academic medical institutions in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. For more information, visit www.nyp.org.