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Catholic Health East Recognized by EPA for Environmental Stewardship

August 1, 2006

Newtown Square, PA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region III) has recognized Catholic Health East as a leader in the area of environmental stewardship in the health care field.

Donald Welsh, EPA's Regional Administrator, presented an award to CHE at its recently held regional recognition ceremony. The award honors CHE as a "Champion" in the Hospitals for a Healthy Environment Program. CHE earned this recognition for actively promoting environmental stewardship among hospitals, educating the health care sector about the environmental benefits of waste minimization and toxicity reduction, and advocating sustainable practices.

"I'm proud to accept this award on behalf of our health care ministry," said Elaine Bauer, CHE's Vice President of Strategy. "Our hospitals have been innovators and leaders in finding ways to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare services. We will continue to be ever-vigilant in our efforts to provide quality health care services in a safe and healthy environment."

Region 3 of the EPA created this award in conjunction with Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E), an organization jointly founded by the EPA, the American Hospital Association, the American Nurses Association and Healthcare Without Harm. H2E is focused on creating a national movement for environmental sustainability in health care. H2E is based on the vision of a healthy health care system - a system that embraces safer building products, clean air, energy and water efficiency, safe working practices, and a commitment to public health demonstrated through waste volume and toxicity reduction. To achieve this, H2E is educating health care professionals about pollution prevention opportunities and providing a wealth of practical tools and resources to facilitate the industry's movement toward environmental sustainability. For additional information about Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, go to www.h2e-online.org.

Catholic Health East is a multi-institutional Catholic health system, which is co-sponsored by 13 religious congregations, and Hope Ministries, a Public Juridic Person within Catholic Health East. Based in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, the System provides the means to ensure the continuation of the Catholic identity and operational strength of the sponsors' health ministries, which are located within 11 eastern states from Maine to Florida.

The System includes 33 acute care hospitals, 4 long term acute care hospitals, 41 freestanding and hospital-based long term care facilities, 13 assisted living facilities, 5 continuing care retirement communities, 8 behavioral health and rehabilitation facilities, 32 home health/hospice agencies, and numerous ambulatory and community-based health services. Catholic Health East facilities employ approximately 43,000 full-time employees as partners in ministry.

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