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Mission


HEARRT (the Healthcare Environmental Awareness and Resource Reduction Team) Midwest connects healthcare professionals to encourage and support sustainability actions that improve environmental and community health and, reduce costs.

History


In the late 1990s, the US EPA and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency began collaborating with healthcare organizations to assist them with mercury elimination (thermometers, sphygmomanometers, laboratory reagents, etc.), other toxic chemical minimization (e.g. dioxins from the incineration of poly-vinyl chloride) and solid waste reduction. HEARRT 1.0 brought together healthcare facility representatives, vendors, local/state agencies, and the MN Hospital Association for over a decade (1996-2010).

Most US healthcare facilities are now mercury free, incineration of PVC has been reduced and many healthcare facilities are reducing their solid and infectious wastes.

However, interest continued in a venue for healthcare environmental improvement professionals. In 2014, HEARRT was resuscitated (now HEARRT Midwest) to deliver advocacy, education, networking opportunities and support to facilities working to achieve the Triple Aim (population health, quality care, reduce costs) using environmental sustainability.

The recovery team was comprised of staff from CentraCare Health, Fairview Health Services, Hennepin County Medical Center, HealthPartners, Mayo Clinic, Ridgeview Medical Center,  the Minnesota Hospital Association, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, the Veteran's Administration Medical Center and Zimmer Environmental Improvement.


HEARRT Midwest now


Currently HEARRT Midwest is steered by representatives from Allina Health, CentraCare Health, M Health Fairview, HealthPartners, Mayo Clinic, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, the Veteran's Administration Medical Center and Zimmer Environmental Improvement.

HEARRT Midwest provides education, networking and support events three times a year. Contact Us to be added to our email list.

We look forward to you joining us!