This package is submitted in nomination for the

**VA ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARD**

in the category of

**Environmental Management Systems**

**Collaborative Management:**

**Implementing EMS Throughout the Portland VAMC**

Nominee (All have the same facility name, telephone number & mailing
address):

> Portland VA Medical Center
>
> 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road
>
> Portland, OR 97239
>
> Main Telephone Number: (503) 220-8262 Ext. (by individual name)
>
> Contact Fax Number: (503) 721-7822

Portland Director & GEMS Team to includes --

James Tuchschmidt, Chief Executive Officer --
<James.Tuchschmidt@med.va.gov>; Ext. 57202

Floss Mambourg, Assoc. Director of Operations --
<Floss.Mambourg@med.va.gov>, Ext. 52920

Frederick White, GEMS Coordinator -- <Frederick.White@med.va.gov>, Ext.
54765

Renee Lange, Env. Management Supervisor -- <Renee.Lange@med.va.gov>,
Ext. 54849

Wendy McDonald, Industrial Hygienist -- <Wendy.McDonald@med.va.gov>,
Ext. 55417

Diane Stief, Nurse Operations Manager -- <Diane.Stief@med.va.gov>, Ext.
56228

Lisa Hawes, Inventory Management Specialist -- <Lisa.Hawes@med.va.gov>,
Ext. 57798

Nickie Pierce, Research Program Asst. -- <Nicoline.Pierce@med.va.gov>,
Ext. 56385

Eric Gladwin, Medical Technologist -- <Eric.Gladwin@med.va.gov>, Ext.
56724

Richard Eyberg, manager of Path & Lab -- <Richard.Eyberg@med.va.gov>,
Ext. 56776

Eric Berg, Contracting specialist -- <Eric.Berg@med.va.gov>, Ext. 31607

Pete Dodge, Computer Specialist/AFGE 2157 -- <Peter.Dodge@med.va.gov>,
Ext. 56704

Paul Shaughnessy, AFGE, 2583 VP -- <Paul.Shaughnessy@med.va.gov>, Ext.
33731

Alison Marges, Dietician -- <Alison.Marges@med.va.gov>, Ext. 54765

Julie Guichot, Program Asst. -- <Julie.Guichot@med.va.gov>, Ext. 55241

Contact: VA Facility Director:

Frederick G. White Jr., MSPH, IH James Tuchschmidt, M.D., MPA

Sr. Industrial Hygienist/GEMS Coordinator Chief Executive Officer

\(503\) 220-8262 x54765 (503) 220-8262 x57202

\(503\) 721-7822 fax (503) 273-5319

<Frederick.white@med.va.gov> <James.Tuchschmidt@med.va.gov>

Portland VA Medical Center Portland VA Medical Center

3710 SW US Veterans Rd.-P5FMS 3710 SW US Veterans Rd.-P1CEO

Portland, OR 97239 Portland, OR 97239

I. Project Summary:

PVAMC has collaboratively implemented an EMS throughout the MC. To
begin, the GEMS team created and maintained a GEMS website and a
newsletter. PVAMC has initiated a MC wide battery recycling program,
earned the 2006 Energy Star Award, established a GEMS award committee to
recognize employees/groups that promote environmental awareness,
partnered with OHSU to host a household hazardous waste pick-up day, and
built new liver lodge buildings with recyclable materials, reduced
mercury throughout the hospital, and standardized the housekeeping
chemical line.

As an H2E Partner, PVAMC also participated in the 2006 CleanMed
Conference, where the director gave a presentation on GEMS. PVAMC
completed improvements in energy conservation, battery recycling, and
paper reduction, resulting in 15-25% in cost savings and improved
processes. Successful GEMS events include: Earth day, Ivy Removal
projects, Nike re-use a shoe program, change a light-change a world
campaign, and office supply swaps.

II\. Evaluation Criteria and Process

The remaining pages will more extensively address the evaluation
criteria listed in paragraph 4.a, Evaluation Criteria of VA Handbook
0053.

A. Our project does involve the use of innovative approaches,
techniques, or technologies. For example, when building the Liver Lodge,
we employed a number of innovative measures including: Day lighting
designed with solar tubes in the corridors and oversized windows in the
group areas, lighting sensors in the patient rooms (for reduced
consumption), low energy content recyclable wood framing and sheeting
materials, recycled wood from the WWII structures previously occupying
the site, waterless urinals for low water usage, pressed fittings on all
plumbing piping to reduce solder content (reduces heavy metals),
recycled content carpet that can be recycled again, and all low chemical
content ceramic tile, linoleum, paints, and water base sealers.

Our GEMS Website and Newsletter are also examples of innovative
approaches to educate and provide information for our employees and the
community. The Newsletter particularly provides fun facts and
information on reducing waste within the medical center, and tips for
reducing energy and waste at home.

B. PVAMC's collaborative effort to implement environmental management
systems throughout the medical center has reduced over 16.3 million tons
of waste was recycled in the last 2 years leading to a huge cost
avoidance (numbers are from the Annual Waste Minimization Report). Out
of the printing and writing materials purchased last year, 99% of the
paper ordered consisted of at least 30% recycled paper.

In addition, all methylene chloride containing products (i.e. paint
removers, solvent degreasers, aerosol propellants) were removed from the
facility decreasing the possibility of exposure to toxic and suspected
carcinogenic products. We have also reduced most of the mercury
containing equipment with the exception of some needed equipment
carefully managed by Bio-medical services.

C. The project does have an education/training and outreach component,
as demonstrated in the Newsletter and other GEMS events. Our GEMS
website (Attachment C) is accessible to all of the employees in the
medical center and other facilities within VA. It includes information
such as our current events, environmental links, information of
recycling, current targets, etc.In addition, the GEMS Committee tries to
host an event at least every two months to continuously educate
employees and the veterans visiting the hospital (i.e. posters during
Earth Day). PVAMC also trains staff on GEMS policies and standard
operating procedures (SOPs) using e-posts, handouts, quizzes, display
booths, and online training.

In regard to the outreach component, the GEMS Committee partnered with
the Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) to host a 2-day household
hazardous waste pick-up day, where the community could bring their
household hazardous waste (i.e. paints, aerosol cans, pesticides,
cleaning chemicals, etc.) and dispose of it for free. During the event,
PVAMC provided the community with information on how to handle and
dispose of hazardous waste. We also gave them information on how to buy
recycled materials (i.e. used paints) for their homes.

D. Our collaborative effort does promote partnerships with the local
community, non-governmental agencies, private industry, etc. One example
of this is the presentation that the MC director gave at the CleanMed
Conference in 2006, where he spoke to other government agencies,
non-government agencies, and private industry participants. During the
conference, he gave the participants guiding principles that could be
used to implement an environmental management system. In addition, he
detailed the nine steps of the GEMS process and gave some of the
positive steps that PVAMC took to successfully implement the program
throughout the medical center.

We also maintain close relations with our region 10 Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) representatives and attend regional meetings to
see what other organizations are doing in the area.

Additionally we hosted a citywide Ivy Removal project where we invite
the community to come out and help us save trees from the "English Ivy
Invasion" on the VA property. We also hosted a Nike Re-Use a Shoe
Program where old shoes could be brought and recycled to make surfaces
for tracks, courts, and playgrounds. Just recently we participated in
the "Change a Light, Change the World" Campaign 2006, where we
encouraged employees to reduce the risks of global climate change by
replacing at least one light in their home with an Energy Star qualified
one.

E. For 2006, we had three Target & Objectives:

*+ Reach and maintain 80% energy efficiency, thereby gaining Energy
Star*

*recognition.*

\-- Energy Conservation - The GEMS Committee has completed this
objective by obtaining Energy Star recognition and maintaining over 80%
energy efficiency.

*+ Recycle 85% of alkaline and other recyclable batteries.*

\-- The Committee has distributed recycling containers throughout the
hospital and batteries are being collected and sent to the vendor. The
Committee will continue this Target through 2007.

*+ Reduce purchasing by 5% and reduce paper consumption by 10% in 2006.*

> \-- The medical center has implemented programs to reduce the amount
> of paper used. Both of these objectives are on target for completion
> by the end of the calendar year. This T&O will probably be carried
> through 2007.

F. In terms of overall program implementation, there are numerous
processes that we feel can serve as a best management practice (BMP) for
other VA facilities. At PVAMC, implementing the environmental management
system has been a collaborative effort, from the director giving a GEMS
presentation to individual areas suggesting ways to save paper. Some
examples of BMPs at PVAMC may include:

> \+ Housekeeping service where PVAMC has standardizing the chemical
> line to include less toxic cleaners. This change has reduced the
> possibility of employee exposure and is projected to result in a
> 15-25% savings in purchasing.
>
> \+ GEMS website and Newsletter. Both items are kept updated and act as
> an instant source of information for employees or communities members
> interested in how the PVAMC is helping to protect the environment.
>
> \+ Creation of a chemical sampling database to track the results of
> samples taken throughout the medical center. By organizing the
> information in the database, PVAMC is able to more accurately assess
> and determine the environmental hazards associated with specific
> areas.

III\. Attachments and Supporting Documents

Attachment A: Director's presentation at the 2006 CleanMed Conference

Attachment B: Most recent GEMS Newsletter

Attachment C: Cover of GEMS Website

Attachment D: Example of GEMS Objectives and Plan

Attachment E: GEMS Events

Attachment F: Additional Materials

There are no violations of Federal, State, or local environmental
requirements outstanding at the time of the nomination.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Frederick G. White Jr., MSPH, IH

Sr. Industrial Hygienist/GEMS Coordinator