Getting To Know: Sara Wohlford, R.N.

What is a typical day like in your job and what are the responsibilities of your role? 
One of the best things about my job is that there is no typical day. As manager of efficiency and sustainability programming systemwide, my day really depends on which projects or initiatives I am working on, and in which department or facility that project resides. 

On any given day, I could be assisting teams across our system to conceptualize and facilitate sustainability programs, helping develop our sustainability strategy, working on implementing waste reduction or recycling projects, bringing recommendations and best practice ideas from other hospitals on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, guest speaking at local universities about health care sustainability, or updating our leaders and key stakeholders. It’s really all over the board.

What was a memorable day at work and why? 
I actually have two and I cannot choose! The first was in 2015 when our senior management team signed the Healthier Hospitals Executive Commitment statement and gave us the greenlight to really start this work in earnest. I felt very supported by our leadership team.

The second most memorable day was the first Earth Day event at CRMH. There were nurses, physicians, EVS and office employees all lined up to get a free seedling, learn about our work in sustainability, and share their ideas. We talked to hundreds of people that day. I was so charged up by the energy, enthusiasm and support of our employees!  

What do you look forward to accomplishing in your role? 
The list of things I want to accomplish in the role is long and growing by the minute, as anyone who works with me knows. I’d like to develop a process to integrate life cycle assessments of the products we purchase and the processes we follow to give us insight into the environmental impact, and help identify areas where changes can be made and improved. I’d like to see us set sustainability goals that cross all of our hospitals, and develop a formal sustainability report to share our progress and celebrate successes with internal and external stakeholders.

How does your work support our mission? 
Sustainability, community health and environmental health are directly linked—there is no way around that. I believe that minimizing our impact on the environment is implicit in our mission, vision and values. When we reduce waste, protect natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, each of these actions in turn has its own direct and positive impact on public health.

How do you and your team collaborate with others in our organization?
All of our initiatives require collaboration and cross-departmental work. For example, with our Mission Donation Program, Nursing identifies items that are appropriate for donation, and Project Search Student volunteers (via Human Resources) collect the items from the units to sort and pack them for shipment. If our educators need items for staff education, those items are separated for their use. Materials Management helps us truck the items for donation back to our warehouse, and provides storage space until the items are picked up by the international aid organizations. The entire process is managed by the Sustainability department. It takes six areas collaborating to facilitate this one process that has resulted in diverting 130,000 pounds of waste from our landfills!

What is something your colleagues would be surprised to know about you or your work? 
In my free time, I like to hike with my husband and two daughters, cook, take dance classes at the gym and travel. One of the most memorable trips of my life was a medical mission trip to Haiti. That may be why I love our Mission Donation Program so much— that sweet spot where sustainability meets serving others' medical needs is my heart center. Also, my colleagues may be surprised to know I do not have a green thumb. Ironically, most things I plant don’t make it. 

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