Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Achieves First-of-Its-Kind Sustainability Certification in Illinois
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The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago has become the first hospital in Illinois – and the first rehabilitation hospital nationally – to earn The Joint Commission’s new Sustainability Healthcare Certification, marking a significant milestone in the facility’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The certification recognizes the hospital’s comprehensive efforts to minimize its environmental impact, a journey that began with its opening in 2017 and has been spearheaded by Lamar Davis, General Manager of Compass One Healthcare at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Davis, often referred to as the hospital’s “sustainability guru,” has coordinated initiatives across multiple service lines, including Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Facilities Management, and Clinical Engineering.
A Foundation Built on Environmental Responsibility
From the outset, sustainability has been a core tenet of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s operations. Early initiatives focused on meticulously measuring CO2 emissions and establishing benchmarks for continuous improvement. Since then, the hospital has demonstrably reduced its energy use, carbon emissions, and waste generation. Recycling programs have expanded, and the leadership team is actively investigating the feasibility of integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar power into its energy portfolio.
“Many of the sustainability programs in the Compass One portfolio served as the backbone for our client’s success in achieving this certification,” a senior official stated. “Lamar has extensive knowledge of these programs and worked closely with the hospital’s leadership to accomplish everything needed to achieve certification.”
The timing of The Joint Commission’s announcement of its new sustainability certification program in January 2024 proved pivotal. Davis immediately recognized the opportunity to formally validate and enhance the hospital’s existing efforts.
“We’ve had a sustainability program since the hospital opened, and this certification helped us take a fresh look at our efforts and make them even stronger,” Davis explained.
With the backing of hospital leadership, Davis led the intensive process of compiling data, developing a comprehensive Sustainability Strategic Plan and Operations Plan, and securing board approval. The certification was officially finalized in January 2025.
Ambitious Goals for a Sustainable Future
Looking ahead, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 3–5% by 2030, with a long-term vision of decreasing its overall carbon footprint by 40% by the same year. To achieve these ambitious goals, each service line has established specific, measurable objectives:
- Environmental Services: A 5% improvement in recycling rates through enhanced staff education, regular compliance audits, and targeted reminders.
- Food Services: Implementation of a hospital-wide composting program and training for nursing staff to effectively divert patient food waste from general trash.
- Clinical Engineering: Increased battery recycling rates through staff training, waste audits, and a collaborative partnership with the IT department for proper disposal protocols.
- Facilities Management: A 2% reduction in energy use (with a stretch goal of 5%) through diligent utility monitoring, the adoption of new technologies, and strategic nighttime setbacks at off-site facilities.
These initiatives are designed to contribute to broader objectives, including a 15% reduction in energy consumption, a doubling of recycling rates from 20% to 40%, and a significant increase in the utilization of renewable energy sources. The current certification remains valid through 2027, at which point The Joint Commission will conduct a thorough review of the hospital’s progress.
“We are always proud to help the hospital achieve success and be recognized as a leader,” said a representative from Compass One Healthcare. “With Lamar working closely with senior leadership, we will continue building a sustainability program that can serve as a model for other hospitals.”
