Last week, Saint Mary’s Health Care received notification that it has become only the second hospital in the nation to receive the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, an honor given sparingly by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We are so proud that our building has earned this designation,” said Philip H. McCorkle, Jr., President and CEO of Saint Mary’s Health Care. “Ever since we began planning the building design we had our sights set on being LEED certified because we wanted to demonstrate our commitment to healthy environmental and energy-use practices. This is what we have been working toward, and we couldn’t be happier. It’s also good for our patients and good for the economy, in that it is a factor in reducing healthcare costs.”

Factors such as recycling, use of environmentally-friendly materials, and components such as a Snow Melt system earned The Lacks Cancer Center points toward the total number needed for the official certification. Another example that McCorkle cited was the “food on demand” model in the Cancer Center. Although not a major factor in the award, it did earn Saint Mary’s points in the LEED process because food cooked to order takes less energy to cook and results in less wasted food than the traditional hospital cafeteria model.

McCorkle also thanked Peter Wege, a major donor to The Lacks Cancer Center, for his “enthusiastic endorsement and encouragement” in the LEED process.