Sustainable Healthcare

Climate sustainability in healthcare

Northern Light Health connects the dots between our changing climate and its effect on patient care, healthcare operations, and the environment.

Developing Eco-friendly Products in Healthcare
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 2 | Episode 12

Developing Eco-friendly Products in Healthcare

Lara Solomon sees an opportunity in healthcare to take plastic out of single-use items. Specifically, she is tackling pregnancy tests by creating a product that is 99% plastic free! Hear more about what goes into product development and being an entrepreneur in the healthcare field.

Should Maine think differently about climate change: We continue our conversation with Nirav Shah
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 2 | Episode 11

Should Maine think differently about climate change: We continue our conversation with Nirav Shah

After speaking with us about the intersection of climate change and public health, Dr. Nirav Shah continues the conversation on how Maine should adjust our mindset on our approach to the effects of climate change.

PFAS on Maine Farms: How Agricultural Research is Helping Farmers, Our Food, and Our Health
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 2 | Episode 10

PFAS on Maine Farms: How Agricultural Research is Helping Farmers, Our Food, and Our Health

PFAS is in our soil, our water, and our food, which makes farms in Maine a critical place to study the health effects of this "forever chemical". Dr. Ellen Mallory, a researcher at the University of Maine studies how these chemicals move through soil, crops, and livestock – and what it means for our farming communities. After listening to our podcast, be sure to investigate the topic further through resources provided by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the EPA, and the CDC.

The Climate and Public Health: A Conversation with Nirav Shah
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 2 | Episode 9

The Climate and Public Health: A Conversation with Nirav Shah

As the head of the Maine Center for Disease Control, He was a familiar face in Maine during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Now, Dr. Nirav Shah is back in the Pine Tree state and talking with us about the intersection between sustainable healthcare and public health.

Does it Tick you off? When vector-borne diseases spread due to climate change
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 2 | Episode 8

Does it Tick you off? When vector-borne diseases spread due to climate change

In this episode of Sustainable Healthcare, we discuss the relation between the spread of ticks across Maine and the changing climate. If you’ve spent any time outdoors in Maine, you know ticks are showing up further north in our state and earlier in the year. They are more than just a nuisance and can carry diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Our guest to discuss this topic is Andrew Donovan, Associate Vice President of Infection Prevention for Northern Light Health.

Eliminating Desflurane: Pioneering Sustainable Anesthesia Practices
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 2 | Episode 7

Eliminating Desflurane: Pioneering Sustainable Anesthesia Practices

We dive into the critical issue of anesthetic gases and their environmental effect. Join us as we explore how Dr. Sarah Smith, Chief of Anesthesia at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, is leading the charge to eliminate desflurane from the operating room. Discover how this transition is making a significant difference in reducing the carbon footprint of Northern Light Health.

Framing the conversation of sustainability in healthcare
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 2 | Episode 6

Framing the conversation of sustainability in healthcare

Environmental sustainability doesn’t have to be divisive. In this episode of Sustainable Healthcare, we share ways we can all find common ground. Cecilia DeLoach Lynn, Vice President of Sustainability for Advocate Health, discusses with Tim Doak, Chief Sustainability Officer at Northern Light Health, how we can frame the conversation around sustainability in ways that can resonate with a broader sector of the public.

Sustainable Healthcare Recap of Season 1
Sustainable Health | Season 1 | Episode 5

Sustainable Healthcare Recap of Season 1

We are getting ready for our second season of new episodes, but first a look back on our first season. We had some great discussions about healthcare and climate change, the action being taken, the buildings we work in, and how health equity fits into the conversation. Please take a listen!

Why climate change is so unfair to our most vulnerable
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 1 | Episode 4

Why climate change is so unfair to our most vulnerable

The elderly and people living in poverty face the greatest threats to their health by the changing climate. Learn what we can do and are doing to address this.

Healthy Buildings, Healthy People
Sustainable Health | Season 1 | Episode 3

Healthy Buildings, Healthy People

Have you ever thought about how the buildings you live, work, and play in can affect your health? In our latest Sustainable Healthcare podcast, we chat with licensed architect Ellen Belknap about how changes in sustainable building construction can improve our health and the health of our planet.

What does the Maine Climate Council Do?
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 1 | Episode 2

What does the Maine Climate Council Do?

One group that is working to help the state prepare for any changes in our climate is the Maine Climate Council, of which Hannah Pingree is the co-chair. She sits down with Tim Doak, Northern Light Health Vice President of Sustainability (and also a member of the council) to talk about the role of government, industry, and everyday citizens in mitigating any climate change impacts.

Healthcare’s role in climate sustainability – Overcoming obstacles and advancing solutions.
Sustainable Healthcare | Season 1 | Episode 1

Healthcare’s role in climate sustainability – Overcoming obstacles and advancing solutions.

In our inaugural episode we explore the connections between our health and our changing climate, and what hospitals can do to be a part of the solution.