Plugged In: Exploring Energy with Constellation - Episode 6

 Listen on your Preferred Podcast Player » 

Hackensack Meridian Health’s Sustainability Approach

Tafuri discusses the challenges of integrating sustainability into healthcare, including financial constraints and the industry's 24/7 operational demands. He highlights how Hackensack Meridian Health ties sustainability to executive compensation, integrates it into vendor contracts, and embeds it within committees to ensure it remains a strategic priority. He covers the implementation of initiatives such as investing over $130 million in energy efficiency projects, leveraging partnerships to fund upgrades, and leading industry-wide changes in safer chemical standards for furniture.

Measuring Success

Tafuri shares how Hackensack Meridian Health measures the success of its sustainability initiatives, noting that future generations expect sustainability as a fundamental responsibility of healthcare systems. The health system tracks key performance indicators such as waste reduction and energy efficiency while balancing growth and financial responsibility.

Sustainability is integrated into Hackensack’s School of Medicine curriculum and research efforts. Beyond education, Hackensack’s sustainability initiatives include safer chemical goals, green building standards, and emission reduction commitments aligned with executive compensation.

Maintaining Progress

Hackensack Meridian Health balances long-term sustainability goals with practical, step-by-step progress. Tafuri notes that waiting for perfect solutions can stall progress, so the organization prioritizes continuous improvement. Their strategies include strong leadership support, a culture that embraces learning from mistakes, and partnerships with external organizations to find cost-effective, impactful solutions. Hackensack also adapts to external challenges, such as policy changes and financial constraints, by shifting focus to feasible initiatives without losing momentum. Ultimately, their core approach is to always move forward, ensuring steady progress toward ambitious sustainability targets.

Driving Sustainable Solutions Across Healthcare

Tafuri talks about Hackensack Meridian Health’s success in energy efficiency, utility partnerships, and both on-site and off-site energy projects. He also emphasizes the importance of engaging suppliers to create sustainable solutions, particularly in supply chain management. Beyond energy, the organization is exploring other technologies like geothermal energy and carbon capture while ensuring that sustainability efforts do not disrupt patient care.

Connect with Kyle Tafuri

•  On LinkedIn

Kyle Tafuri, Vice President of Sustainability at Hackensack Meridian Health, is not just a leader in healthcare sustainability – he's a visionary. For over a decade, Kyle has been instrumental in weaving sustainability into the very fabric of Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), transforming the health system into an industry leader in environmental responsibility.

Under Kyle's leadership, HMH and its hospitals were the first in the country to receive the Joint Commission Sustainability Certification. The flagship hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, has been recognized as one of the top 25 green hospitals by Practice Greenhealth for nine consecutive years. All of HMH’s hospitals are in the process of implementing 30 MW of on-site solar and battery storage, which is the most of any health system in the U.S. His dedication to green building, sustainable food practices, waste reduction, and responsible purchasing has set a new standard for healthcare institutions nationwide.

Connect with Constellation

• Follow Constellation on LinkedIn
•  Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions