In this edition: Photos from our first Green Health Day Challenge, submitted by you!

The Green Initiative’s first Green Health Day Challenge was a snap-happy success, with folks from all over Ontario and in many healthcare roles sending in pics to promote high-quality, low-carbon care. The photos are fun, the smiles infectious, and the message clear: we can all do our part, from prescribing for impact and plant rich eating to getting back to nature and reducing waste. 

A huge thank you to the Guelph Family Health Team (pictured above looking wheel-y great in their green tees) for starting Green Health Day and inviting all of us to join them this year. They had 10 Guelph FHT sites and two community health partners participate, and met with their MPP, Mike Schreiner. See more of their photos here.

Another big thank you to all 48 of you who accepted the challenge and sent in photos – you’re proof that green healthcare providers really do have more fun! We’ve grouped the photos according to activity so it’s easy to see how we are all taking action in different areas.

Clean Air, Respiratory Excellence

1. Dr. Emily Ow switches patients from metered-dose inhalers to the lower impact dry powder inhalers! (Extra points if you can spot the office plaque in the background.)
2. Dr. Jordan Wronzberg displaying his Electronic Medical Record’s ‘favourite’ functionality to help replace salbutamol metered-dose inhalers prescriptions - making green easy.
3. David DaSilva-Krul, certified respiratory educator, showing off spirometry as a key to confirming respiratory diagnoses!

Prescribe for Impact

1. Dr. Zoë Del Bel Belluz uses a bone density shared decision-making tool while sipping her drink of choice: tap water!
2. Leslie Bhardwaj, Hamilton FHT lead pharmacist, using patient-centred shared decision-making to deprescribe unnecessary medications.
3. Dr. Christine Zrinscak reviews patient files for polypharmacy.

Plant-Rich Eating

1. Michele MacDonald-Werstuck, Registered Dietitian, who supports plant-rich eating one-on-one and through Hamilton FHT’s patient education groups (open to all)!
2. Dr. Cari Reed shows her plant-rich patient edcuation poster.
3. Ann Rodrigues, RN and co-lead of the St. Mike's FHT Green Team, showing off posters improving patient and planetary health.
4. Haldimand FHT's plant-rich lunches, inspiring us all to get our veggies in!

Disease Prevention: Smoking Cessation and Cancer Screening

1. Mary Dunn, RN and certified respiratory educator, doing her part to help patients breathe easy and stop smoking with Hamilton FHT’s smoking cessation programs. 
2. Megan Briggs, RN, showing off a FIT test for colon cancer screening.
3. Jennifer Malcew, RN, putting a little pep into those paps!

Nature

1. Green your outdoor space with Dr. Laura Kroeker’s environmentally-friendly gardening tips.
2. Dr. Brenda Copps, Mashira Anamika (PA), Estrella Szakacs (RN), Melissa Holm (PA), and Dr. Narisa Duboff share the benefits of nature on a walk.
3. Dr. Matteo Castelluzzo, nurse Oana Marinescu, and secretary Lidia Tuma made their own Green Corner by growing seedlings into food and inspiration.
4. Gloria Jordan, Hamilton FHT’s CEO, enjoys the start of spring in Hamilton.
5. Administrator Maria Connolly takes care of nature inside and out.
6. Natalie Poret, RN, shows off the clinic’s plants on a patient-made plant-stand; truly a community effort!
7. Xana, registered kinesiologist, Mackenzie, RN, and Joanna, NP take in the benefits of nature.

Reduce Waste

1. Belinda Ruiz, reception and admin support at Compass Community Health Centre, sips her way to a greener future using a reusable water bottle.
2. Natalie Poret, RN, champions decreased exam table paper use.
3. Joanna Lynsdale, NP, uses a reusable coffee mug for her java jolt.
4. Debbie Lauricella, office manager, and Rachael Pierroz, administrator, drinking their coffee from reusable mugs and celebrating their office’s work in front of their plaque.
5. Norwich Medical Centre medical assistants Jen and Tanya (with Dr. Jennifer F. Jeffries, MD/MPH, not pictured) are rolling up the exam table paper using the Green Initiative’s resources.
6. Nick and Lucy, RPN and office admin in Dundas, offer a toast to their clinic’s use of reusable water bottles while highlighting some patient-facing educational posters.
7. Vanessa Henry and Barbara Klassen, Clinical Lead and Executive Director of the Haldimand FHT, sipping in reusable style.
8. Andrea Floyd, NP and primary care clinical manager at Compass Community Health Centre, fearlessly removing trash.
9. Dawn Atwell, office manager, shows off that paper towels can be composted.
10. Victoria, RN, is all smiles knowing how many kilometres of paper her office is saving by keeping exam tables paper-free!
11. Maryanne from Home and Community Care Support Services recycles. 
12. Erin Jansen, RN in Haldimand FHT, nixing the exam table paper and using an infant measuring board instead.

Reduce Emissions

1. Dr. Angie Woodbury,  paediatric resident at McMaster Children’s Hospital, is helping the next generation have a greener future by biking to McMaster Children’s Hospital. Congratulations! You are the winner of a local eco-friendly gift card!
2. May the Fourth be with you! Drs. Haider Saeed and Meghan Davis battle it out to see if LEDs or light sabres win in a face-off for the planet.
3. Ryan Janssen, mental health counsellor, uses active transport to decrease emissions for his whole family!

Hungry for more green? You’re in luck! Bike to Work Day is Thursday June 1st, 2023. Mental health counsellor Ryan Janssen (pictured above with his happy helmeted family) invites you to bike into work that day. Click below to let us know you biked in on June 1st!

"We can in fact change the world and make of it a better place."

- Nelson Mandela

Green Initiative Website

Edition 26 | May 26, 2023