Parkland recognized for ongoing sustainability efforts
National awards honor the system’s efforts to reduce energy use while supporting patient care
Parkland Health has been nationally recognized with two 2026 Energy to Care Awards from the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). These awards acknowledge hospitals that are setting the standard for energy efficiency, proving that healthcare facilities can deliver high-quality care for patients while prioritizing sustainability.
For the fourth consecutive year, ASHE is recognizing Parkland with both the Sustained Performance Award and the Sustainability Champions Award.
The Sustained Performance Award recognizes hospitals accomplishing sustainability goals to support healthy, equitable and resilient environments and communities maintained over time. The Sustainability Champions Award recognizes facilities that demonstrate leadership in healthcare sustainability.
For both awards, the facilities must be an ENERGY STAR® certified hospital with a score of 75 or higher. ENERGY STAR® certification, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizes buildings that perform in the top 25% nationwide for energy efficiency. Parkland Memorial Hospital is the largest ENERGY STAR®-certified healthcare campus in the U.S.
ASHE is a membership group of the American Hospital Association for professionals who design, build, maintain and operate hospitals and other healthcare facilities. It is the country’s largest association of its kind.
This latest recognition highlights Parkland’s ongoing commitment to a more sustainable world that leaves a greener legacy for future generations and better health outcomes for patients.
“We are incredibly honored that Parkland has been recognized with these two prestigious awards from ASHE,” said Michael Wood, CHFM, CHSP, CHEP, Parkland’s Senior Director of Facilities Support Services. “This recognition is a direct result of our team's unwavering commitment to advancing energy efficiency and environmental stewardship in healthcare. By prioritizing energy efficiency, we are helping ensure a healthier future for our community and the environment.”
The 3.4 million-square-foot Parkland Memorial Hospital campus is the anchor of one of the largest public health systems in the nation, home to a nationally recognized Level I Trauma Center and the only burn center in North Texas verified to treat adult and pediatric patients. Nearly twice the size of the previous hospital, the current Parkland campus, which opened in 2015, was designed to meet the evolving needs of a rapidly growing Dallas County.
Parkland diverts more than 1,000 tons of materials from landfills every year through robust recycling, reuse and donation initiatives. Since 2023, the hospital has reduced the use of the anesthetic gas desflurane by 50%, eliminating more than 900 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Parkland annually sources 25% of its total energy from renewable sources.
Last year, the F.A.R.M. (Food as Real Medicine) Garden at Parkland’s Southeast Dallas Health Center produced more than 1,000 pounds of fresh produce that was distributed across 275 patient visits.
“At Parkland, we believe sustainability is a core part of our mission to care for the health and well-being of our community,” said Rebecca Bateman, Director of Sustainability and Energy Conservation. “Parkland continues to lead the charge in healthcare decarbonization, and I’m proud our team has been recognized for these efforts. By reducing energy consumption, increasing our use of renewable power and making smarter use of resources, we’re lowering our environmental impact while reinvesting those savings directly into patient care.”
Parkland has earned a lengthy list of accolades regarding sustainability efforts.
Most recently, Parkland Memorial Hospital earned the 2026 Greenhealth Leader Award from Practice Greenhealth for leading the way toward a zero-emissions, climate-resilient and equitable healthcare future. This is the third consecutive year for the recognition.
Healthcare Digital also ranked Parkland as No. 2 out of the top 10 most sustainable hospitals in the world for 2026.
Parkland won the CleanMed 2025 Sustainability in Action Video Contest for achievements in resilience, climate mitigation and sustainability. The Joint Commission has also awarded Parkland its Sustainable Healthcare Certification for decarbonization efforts.
Additionally, Parkland’s main campus features six LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified buildings, a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
Looking ahead, Wood says Parkland will continue exploring opportunities to decarbonize its vehicle fleet while expanding its F.A.R.M. Garden. The health system is also evaluating additional energy-saving initiatives, including expanding LED lighting and upgrading HVAC equipment.
To learn more about Parkland’s sustainability efforts, visit www.parklandhealth.org/sustainability. For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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