Griffin Health in Derby earns sustainable healthcare certification

DERBY - Griffin Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Sustainable Healthcare Certification by prioritizing environmental sustainability through decarbonization efforts. The certification demonstrates Griffin’s achievement in establishing structure, rigor and accountability to accelerate these efforts.

Griffin is the first healthcare organization in Connecticut to receive this recognition.

The healthcare industry accounts for nearly 9% of the nation’s carbon emissions. 

In reducing greenhouse gas emissions, organizations commit to cost-effective and efficient operations that seek to address climate change and the impacts that climate-related events can have on individuals. 

Griffin underwent a virtual review on May 2, 2025. During the review, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including the organization’s contribution toward global sustainability, its baselines for measuring three sources of GHG emissions and its actionable plans for reducing them. 

“Sustainable Healthcare Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety, quality of care and environmental sustainability,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Griffin Health for using The Joint Commission’s certification process to enact sustainable practices and utilize resources that positively benefit patients and the environment.” 

“We are proud to receive this certification as it recognizes Griffin’s commitment to maintaining an exceptional healing environment at our facilities and our dedication to improving the well-being of our community,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. “As a Planetree patient-centered healthcare provider, we understand the benefits that incorporating natural elements and views of nature can have on the mind, body and spirit of individual which is why our award winning hospital architecture incorporates natural light and elements of the natural environment as much as possible. It is our love and respect for nature that we actively seek ways to reduce our energy use and emissions to keep our promise as a trusted and responsible caregiver and neighbor.”

In the past two years, Griffin participated in the Energize Connecticut initiative, installing energy-saving equipment and upgrading lighting fixtures and HVAC systems at Griffin Hospital that reduced the hospital’s annual electricity usage by an estimated 17% which is equivalent to the energy used by 147 homes in one year. This reduction in electricity usage will also decrease more than 1,200 metric tons of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

To help healthcare organizations achieve SHC, The Joint Commission has developed the Sustainable Healthcare Resource Center. 

The resource center provides practical strategies, tools, literature, videos, and links. For more information, visit The Joint Commission website. 

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Hospital in Derby participating in Energize Connecticut initiative

Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is participating in an energy efficiency initiative that will enhance its care for the community it serves and the environment.

As part of the Energize Connecticut initiative, Griffin is installing energy-saving equipment and upgrading lighting fixtures and HVAC systems that will increase energy efficiency and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this initiative. The infrastructure improvements it has made possible allow us to fulfill our commitment to maintaining an exceptional healing environment,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. 

“As a Planetree patient-centered health care provider, we understand the benefits that incorporating natural elements and views of nature can have on the mind, body, and spirit of an individual which is why our award winning hospital architecture incorporates natural light and elements of the natural environment as much as possible. Improving the health and well-being of our patients and our community is our priority, and these energy efficiency upgrades ensure we will continue to keep our promise as a trusted and responsible caregiver and neighbor.”

The renovations began in July and are expected to take up to nine months to complete. They include upgrades to the hospital’s air handling system, hospital-wide light fixtures, HVAC, chilled water pumps, fans, motors, and dampers. The upgrades will reduce the hospital’s annual electricity usage by an estimated 17 percent which is equivalent to the energy used by 147 homes in one year. This reduction in electricity usage will also decrease more than 1,200 metric tons of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

“In bringing this project to fruition, our team met with Griffin Health to understand their energy reduction goals, reviewed energy efficiency proposals from contractors, and qualified the installation incentive offer in the Energy Opportunities program in coordination with Eversource,” said Jim Beatrice, Lead Engineer at Avangrid (UI), who led UI’s energy efficiency team working with Griffin Health on the project. “In addition to significant reductions in electricity and gas usage, Griffin Health will also see side benefits, including reduced maintenance costs.”

Energize Connecticut is an initiative dedicated to empowering Connecticut to make smart energy choices, by providing consumers, businesses, and communities with the resources and information needed to save on energy costs and build a clean energy future for the state. 

The initiative is supported by the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, United Illuminating and Eversource.

Funding for Energize Connecticut comes from a charge on UI and Eversource customer energy bills. Through the initiative, UI will be providing Griffin an estimated $1 million in incentives with additional support from Eversource Energy for gas savings to make the energy-efficient upgrades.

“I am proud to see our team at United Illuminating work closely with Griffin Hospital on these important energy efficiency initiatives,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of United Illuminating. “Installing energy-saving equipment and upgrades will provide both financial and sustainability benefits to this important community health institution, and the scale of the work reflects a continued partnership between UI and Griffin Health that serves the entire region.”

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.