“Over the past decade, I’ve witnessed our organization orchestrate complex initiatives on a global scale, firmly placing health at the heart of climate solutions. Leading this outstanding organization has been an incredible privilege and I am grateful to all of my colleagues over the years for this opportunity. While I’m excited to embark on my next chapter, I will deeply miss the daily collaboration and camaraderie with our team. I eagerly anticipate the incredible achievements that lie ahead for them and will be cheering them on every step of the way.”
Since 2011, Paul has been a pivotal force in our organization, contributing to our growth and success. His inspiring leadership has led to significant accomplishments:
Expanding our network
Our Practice Greenhealth partner network has grown to encompass 1,700 hospitals and health systems across the U.S. and Canada, including Veterans Administration and Army MedCom facilities. This represents 1 in 4 health facilities in the U.S., with participation from diverse hospital types in all 50 states. Additionally, our global network, Global Green and Healthy Hospitals, has reached 2,000 members, representing 70,000 health centers and hospitals in 86 countries. This expansion underscores our commitment to sustainability in health care at both national and international levels.
Innovating sustainable practices
The Greenhealth Approved seal was developed to empower health care providers to easily identify safe and sustainable products. This innovation streamlines the often time-consuming and costly product review process, enabling providers to access products that meet rigorous sustainability criteria. The seal not only simplifies purchasing through existing procurement channels, but also plays a crucial role in educating health care providers and suppliers about developing products that minimize their impact on human and environmental health.
Elevating health in climate discussions
During major national and climate events, our organization has successfully elevated the role of health in climate discussions. Notably, Health Care Without Harm co-organized the first climate and health summit at COP17 in Durban, advocating for climate action from the health sector. In November 2021, we partnered with WHO, the UK COP Presidency, and UNFCCC to launch the COP26 Health Programme, which has grown from 52 to 84 national governments committed to low-carbon and climate-resilient health systems, with 39 aiming for net zero. Most recently, a contingent of 10 staff members participated in Climate Week NYC, contributing to its first-ever health program.
Next steps
Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth is at a pivotal moment, having launched our 2024-2026 U.S. Strategic Plan and preparing to unveil our international network strategy soon. To guide us into this new chapter, we are transitioning from an Executive Director structure to a Chief Executive Officer model. This change will better position us to drive our mission forward and meet the increasing demands of our organization.
“We cannot thank Paul enough for the dedication, passion, and enthusiasm he has brought to Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth over the past decade. While we will miss his vision and guidance, we are grateful for the lasting impact he has made. We look forward to celebrating his successes in the coming months and are excited about the next chapter for our organization as we continue to transform health care worldwide – reducing its environmental impact and leading the global movement for environmental health and justice.”
– Gary Cohen, Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth founder,
Over the next few months, Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth will conduct a thorough search for the new Chief Executive Officer. During this transition, our priority is to find the best leader while maintaining a stable and effective organization. We will share the job announcement soon and look forward to welcoming candidates to help our organization continue on its successful trajectory.