Asheville Reporter

Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has been recognized with the 2024 Energy to Care Award by the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), part of the American Hospital Association. The award is part of ASHE's sustainability program, which acknowledges healthcare facilities that have made significant progress in reducing energy, water, and emissions.

HRMC is among 102 facilities nationwide to receive this recognition in 2024, representing a small percentage of participants in the Energy to Care program. To qualify for the award, facilities must demonstrate either a 10% reduction in energy use intensity over one year or a 15% reduction over two years.

"Receiving the Energy to Care Award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our outstanding facilities team as part of our larger commitment to our community," said Chris Brown, RN, HRMC CEO. "Our team’s dedication to responsible energy use and stewardship of resources has made a lasting and recognizable impact. I am very proud that their efforts have earned our organization this distinction."

Beyond meeting these reduction criteria, HRMC was also acknowledged for tracking energy and water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions over three years. The facility achieved an ENERGY STAR Score of 75 or higher for three consecutive years and maintained a weather-normalized SOURCE EUI equal to or lower than baseline during this period.

The Energy to Care Award celebrates facilities that contribute positively to their communities and environments while demonstrating leadership in healthcare sustainability. Winners are chosen through an application process and honored at ASHE’s Annual Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference.

Since its inception in 2006, participation in ASHE's Energy to Care program has grown steadily. Over 4,400 facilities have participated since 2010, achieving notable cost savings and enhanced sustainability across participating sites nationwide.

Further details about the Energy to Care program can be found at energytocare.org/EnergyAwards. Information about HRMC is available at MyHaywoodRegional.com.