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Climate change and its associated environmental and human health problems are our current global reality — a reality that we must all take action to address.
Health care is responsible for 4.6% of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions and as such, contributes to and is impacted by our climate reality. By understanding and finding solutions to challenges that include energy and carbon emissions, material waste, water management, chemical use and transportation, there is much that we can all do to achieve better health and well-being for our environment, patients, staff and communities.
A network founded by the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team, GreenCare unites efforts across the B.C. health-care community to transform our health-care system toward environmentally sustainable and resilient care for healthy people, place and planet.
Efforts include work undertaken by the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team, by health-care and medical staff, and all together, in collaboration and partnership. Connecting and supporting diverse individuals and groups within Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health, GreenCare amplifies and celebrates projects, programs and staff that advance environmental sustainability solutions in health-care delivery and population health.
The GreenCare website is a resource for the network and a home to communicate and celebrate all efforts.
Stay up-to-date with what we are working on.
Click here to receive updates.
A collaboration team created in 2010 to ensure a regional approach to climate resilient and environmentally sustainable care is taken across these four health organizations:
To inspire and empower everyone we work with
to collaboratively enable systemic transformation
so that we can restore and regenerate the interdependent health of people and planet — now and for future generations.
Mauricio Acosta
Executive Director,
Facilities Management
and Business
Performance
Originally from Colombia, Mauricio holds a bachelor of business administration and a master of finance from University de Los Andes in Bogota. He immigrated to Canada in 2001, completed a master of business administration from UBC and joined Vancouver Coastal Health in 2004. His previous experience includes financial management in development, construction, real estate and facilities management.
As executive director, Mauricio is responsible for providing direction and leadership to the Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Facilities Systems Support, and Facilities Management Procurement teams for all four Lower Mainland health organizations, and to the Facilities Maintenance and Operations, and Assets, Risk, Quality & Technical Services teams for Vancouver Coastal Health.
The most rewarding part of my job is having the ability to work across multiple teams and multiple organizations in areas that do impact people’s lives. In particular, being able to influence how our organizations approach environmental sustainability, one of the most fundamental challenges of our time, is extremely motivating.
Robert Bradley
Director, Energy and
Environmental
Sustainability
Robert is a professionally qualified engineer, with 13 years of dedicated energy and environmental sustainability experience, in addition to over 30 years of experience in facilities management, including technical knowledge within the health-care sector in both the UK and Canada.
As the director of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team, which provides a nationally recognized shared service to four Lower Mainland health organizations, Robert oversees a team of passionate subject matter experts with a collective goal to reduce the environmental impacts on our health-care system.
I am very passionate about our environment and the need to reduce our emissions and adapt to climate change. Leading and being part of a collaborative dynamic team that wants to inspire change is the most rewarding aspect of my work.
Craig Dedels
Manager, Climate Risk & Resilience
Craig is a Registered Professional Planner with a background in environmental sustainability and land use planning for governments, public sector institutions and the private sector. He has a holistic understanding of climate change and sustainability topics and specializes in climate risk and resilience.
Craig has extensive experience in resilience planning for the health-care sector and was part of the core team that developed the Climate Resilience Guidelines for BC Health Facility Planning and Design. He has worked on new construction and redevelopment projects across a range of health facilities, both on behalf of the health authorities and as part of design teams working to meet resilient design objectives and requirements. In leading work within the Climate Change focus area, Craig strives to balance technical risk management processes with engagement and partnership building to further low carbon resilience goals across the health system.
The best part of my job is the people. Climate change presents many wicked problems for health care, alongside some unique opportunities, and the decisions we make today matter. I am continually heartened by the passion, dedication, and collaborative spirit of the people working on these issues.
Ghazal Ebrahimi
PHSA Energy and
Emissions Manager
Ghazal has an interdisciplinary background in energy management, green buildings and sustainability. This includes a bachelor of architecture, master of science in renewable energy and architecture, and a doctoral degree in resource management and environmental studies. She has worked at leading organizations in the private, public and NGO sectors.
Ghazal’s responsibilities include securing and strategically spending over $3 million in funding to help PHSA reduce carbon emissions, while enhancing users’ comfort and experience. She works closely with stakeholders within PHSA, utilities and the government to identify opportunities and implement projects that enhance the environmental performance of the portfolio.
My ongoing curiosity is to explore and catalyze the emergence of principles and practices that make our built environment effectively respond to the needs of its users while reducing environmental impacts. My job lets me build upon that curiosity and explore the intersection of human health and environmental health.
Mehrdad Gharibnavaz
Providence Health Care
Energy and Emissions
Manager
Mehrdad is a professional engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. He has worked on many projects in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions in industry and commercial buildings.
As the energy manager of Providence, Mehrdad oversees projects related to energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction in Providence facilities in Metro Vancouver.
I enjoy the ability to apply innovation and high technology to the challenges of energy saving and carbon reduction.
Kori Jones
VCH Energy and
Emissions Manager
Kori has a degree in energy engineering and a diploma in electrical engineering technology, and brings over 15 years of experience in the energy industry, across a range of sectors in Canada and internationally. Prior to joining the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team, Kori focused on applying energy efficiency strategies for institutional clients in Australia.
Kori is responsible for leading utility budgeting and reporting, climate change legislation compliance, project planning and delivery, and development of the Strategic Energy Management Plan, and provides direction to executive teams and operational leads within Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). He manages the program’s operational and Carbon Neutral Capital Program budgets, and sponsors investment grade energy audits, research initiatives, capital projects and site infrastructure plans. Further, Kori collaborates with the sustainability and climate risk leads to support innovation, and maintains and develops relationships with utility partners, public health teams, clinical leads and provincial ministries.
I have the privilege of supporting VCH leadership to effectively respond to the climate change challenge, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts and supporting human health. I enjoy partnering with and learning from a wide range of folks who support our health system. I find this a challenging and interesting position.
Jeson Mak
Fraser Health Energy and
Emissions Manager
Jeson spent multiple years in the building controls industries before joining the Fraser Health energy team.
He is responsible for monitoring and managing the building-energy performance in Fraser Health. He initiates and manages energy and greenhouse gas reduction projects while developing strategic connections with internal and external stakeholders, including seeking out opportunities for incentive offers through partnerships with utilities companies. He also supports new construction projects related to energy and environmental sustainability, and balances the current fiscal year’s capital, operations and utilities budgets. Further, Jeson is responsible for mandated carbon-emission reporting and supports Energy and Environmental Sustainability team initiatives in sustainability and climate change.
I enjoy the opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving health-care facilities’ environment for staff and patients.
Vacant
Regional Thermal Energy
Manager
Maleeka Aamer
Fraser Health Energy Specialist
Sabah Ali
Regional Energy
Coordinator
Sabah worked as a project manager and senior mechanical designer in the private sector for 13 years, specializing in designing energy efficient health-care facilities. Sabah uses his design skills in new and existing buildings to conserve energy, use fewer natural resources and minimize environmental impact.
Sabah is responsible for coordinating and managing energy management projects across the Lower Mainland health organizations, supporting the energy managers and the rest of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team to achieve the provincial and nationally mandated energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Sabah works with the consultants and the rest of the energy project teams to ensure the best, most cost-effective greenhouse gas and energy reduction technologies and design strategies will be used.
I am proud of and love the fact that I am part of a large group that is fighting and working hard to save the world. I don’t want to belong to the ones that don’t care, or the ones that complain but do nothing.
Ghazal Ebrahimi
PHSA Energy and
Emissions Manager
Ghazal has an interdisciplinary background in energy management, green buildings and sustainability. This includes a bachelor of architecture, master of science in renewable energy and architecture, and a doctoral degree in resource management and environmental studies. She has worked at leading organizations in the private, public and NGO sectors.
Ghazal’s responsibilities include securing and strategically spending over $3 million in funding to help PHSA reduce carbon emissions, while enhancing users’ comfort and experience. She works closely with stakeholders within PHSA, utilities and the government to identify opportunities and implement projects that enhance the environmental performance of the portfolio.
My ongoing curiosity is to explore and catalyze the emergence of principles and practices that make our built environment effectively respond to the needs of its users while reducing environmental impacts. My job lets me build upon that curiosity and explore the intersection of human health and environmental health.
Mehrdad Gharibnavaz
Providence Health Care
Energy and Emissions
Manager
Mehrdad is a professional engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. He has worked on many projects in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions in industry and commercial buildings.
As the energy manager of Providence, Mehrdad oversees projects related to energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction in Providence facilities in Metro Vancouver.
I enjoy the ability to apply innovation and high technology to the challenges of energy saving and carbon reduction.
Kori Jones
VCH Energy and
Emissions Manager
Kori has a degree in energy engineering and a diploma in electrical engineering technology, and brings over 15 years of experience in the energy industry, across a range of sectors in Canada and internationally. Prior to joining the Energy and Environmental Sustainability team, Kori focused on applying energy efficiency strategies for institutional clients in Australia.
Kori is responsible for leading utility budgeting and reporting, climate change legislation compliance, project planning and delivery, and development of the Strategic Energy Management Plan, and provides direction to executive teams and operational leads within Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). He manages the program’s operational and Carbon Neutral Capital Program budgets, and sponsors investment grade energy audits, research initiatives, capital projects and site infrastructure plans. Further, Kori collaborates with the sustainability and climate risk leads to support innovation, and maintains and develops relationships with utility partners, public health teams, clinical leads and provincial ministries.
I have the privilege of supporting VCH leadership to effectively respond to the climate change challenge, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts and supporting human health. I enjoy partnering with and learning from a wide range of folks who support our health system. I find this a challenging and interesting position.
Kelly Lim
VCH Energy Specialist
After graduating from UBC with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, Kelly worked in the HVAC industry for six years as a mechanical design engineer for a custom air-handling manufacturer. Kelly then pursued a sustainable energy management advanced certificate from the B.C. Institute of Technology, which led to her role today.
As part of Kelly’s role as an energy specialist, she tracks, analyzes and reports on energy, water and greenhouse gas emissions data across Vancouver Coastal Health’s portfolio of buildings. Kelly works with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly maintenance and operations teams, project and planning teams, consultants, and utility providers, to identify and implement energy conservation and emission reduction opportunities. This also involves capturing incentive funding from utility providers and government, where available.
I enjoy working with a diverse group of people who are passionate about taking climate action. Being part of this team and playing a role in supporting the health and wellness of people and planet that goes beyond my own environmental footprint, is inspiring!
Jeson Mak
Fraser Health Energy and
Emissions Manager
Jeson spent multiple years in the building controls industries before joining the Fraser Health energy team.
He is responsible for monitoring and managing the building-energy performance in Fraser Health. He initiates and manages energy and greenhouse gas reduction projects while developing strategic connections with internal and external stakeholders, including seeking out opportunities for incentive offers through partnerships with utilities companies. He also supports new construction projects related to energy and environmental sustainability, and balances the current fiscal year’s capital, operations and utilities budgets. Further, Jeson is responsible for mandated carbon-emission reporting and supports Energy and Environmental Sustainability team initiatives in sustainability and climate change.
I enjoy the opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving health-care facilities’ environment for staff and patients.
Suman Mandal
Providence Health Care
Energy Specialist
Suman has a bachelor degree in power engineering and master degree in clean energy engineering from the University of British Columbia. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 14 years of experience in the industry. Suman started his career as an Operation & Maintenance engineer and then moved towards project management of power plants.
As an Energy Specialist in Providence Health Care, Suman’s key responsibilities include the analysis of energy and water consumption data and providing technical, statistical and financial analysis to drive energy management initiatives. The other part of the job is identifying the scope of energy performance improvements across Providence Health Care facilities and providing solutions and recommendations for potential energy conservation measures, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and qualifying for various greenhouse gas saving incentives funded by utility providers and the government.
I am a strong advocate of cleaner energy alternatives. I am glad that my profession aligns with my passion. I love how my work can be a part of a noble cause of global climate restoration through the improvement of energy efficiency and the application of newer and cleaner technologies.
Cathy McDonald
Regional Energy
Coordinator
Cathy has a background in mechanical engineering and has worked in a variety of areas, including a coal-fired generating station, a technology start-up and 10 years managing theatre companies. Cathy returned to the energy management field in 2013.
As an energy coordinator, Cathy’s focus is on coordinating the many lighting, heating and ventilation projects underway to improve energy efficiency in Fraser Health hospitals and long-term care facilities. Cathy works closely with the Facilities Maintenance and Operations teams and engineering consultants to introduce and evaluate these upgrades.
I like the variety of projects and many groups I interact with, and seeing how change happens. It’s very rewarding when we find a new technology that works well with the hospital systems, saves energy and can be repeated at other sites.
Sze Tam
PHSA Energy Specialist
Sze Tam is an experienced building energy engineer and a certified passive house designer. She holds a masters in engineering degree in pollution control and waste management from the University of British Columbia, and a bachelor of science degree in environmental (renewable energy) engineering from UC San Diego.
As an energy specialist, Sze provides technical leadership and support related to the management and analysis of energy data and information for the PHSA portfolio. She gathers and completes data entry and review of utility data for electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and water and sewer, and supports quarterly and annual energy and carbon reporting processes and deliverables. She helps manage assigned projects while working with numerous stakeholders, particularly facilities management personnel and utility providers, to identify and implement carbon and energy conservation measures within PHSA.
I am motivated by the possibility to create positive change. My job provides me the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and in various aspects of sustainability.
Vacant
Regional Thermal Energy
Manager
Sonja Janousek
Environmental
Sustainability Manager
Sonja is an eclectic individual, interested first and foremost in people and collective well-being. This is demonstrated by her studies in economics, Spanish, sustainability, education and program evaluation, and her work in ecotourism, community development, environmental consulting and health care, among many other things.
Sonja manages the development and implementation of environmental sustainability policy, strategic communications and engagement plans, and capacity building for sustainable and resilient health care across diverse departments in the health system.
I love bringing staff from different departments and disciplines together to reduce our environmental footprint and increase health system resilience to climate change.
Nina Akhtar
Sustainability Consultant
Nina brings an interdisciplinary educational background in sustainability, geography and environmental science, along with health care experience in developing and leading engagement strategies in change management. Using her personal and career experiences, she hopes to help others embrace sustainability principles and to make changes, however small they may be. As an avid traveler, she’s always on the lookout for her next destination, but equally enjoys the bounty of activities the west coast has to offer.
Every individual has a different take on sustainability, but we all ultimately share a common goal. I love learning from, and collaborating with people who bring their ideas and passion for sustainability to make improvements and transition us to a more sustainable health care system.
Vacant
Sustainability Consultant
Marianne Dawson
Sustainability Consultant
With a bachelor of science in biological sciences and a master of science in environmental practice, Marianne has a varied background in migratory bird field studies, environmental education and retail sustainability. Marianne also enjoys recreating within the traditional and unceded Coast Salish territories through hiking, scuba diving, cycling and more.
Marianne currently specializes in waste reduction and circular economy practices within health care. She focuses on data collection and analysis, research and special projects, and staff education and engagement as tools to bring about lasting organizational change. Day to day, this means looking at trends in waste data to learn what is working and what isn’t, managing campaigns and running pilot projects to improve waste reduction and recycling, and supporting staff in their journey to lessening our impact on the environment.
Working with a high-functioning team in complex organizations toward a common goal keeps me going. We are all passionate about the work and strongly believe that what we do matters.
Emily Lomax
Sustainability Consultant
Emily’s academic background includes a bachelor of science in plant biology and a master of environment and sustainability. Emily has worked in post-secondary institutions, municipal organizations and health care to develop and implement sustainability programs, increase operational sustainability, and build community resilience through sustainability engagement and education.
Emily’s work with the Energy and Environmental Sustainability (EES) team focuses on Active and Clean Transportation and Safer Chemicals. The transportation work entails finding ways to get more staff, visitors and patients to and from health-care sites by active and sustainable modes, such as cycling, public transportation and carpooling. Her Safer Chemicals work focuses on reducing staff, patient and visitor exposure to harmful chemicals, while also reducing the negative environmental impacts from the use and disposal of such products.
I love getting to work within EES, alongside such highly competent, motivated, passionate and fun people. I’m continuously inspired by folks taking initiative to make change in their own pockets of the world, and love getting to connect with people over successes and challenges, while continuing to learn every day.
Sonja Janousek
Environmental
Sustainability Manager
Sonja is an eclectic individual, interested first and foremost in people and collective well-being. This is demonstrated by her studies in economics, Spanish, sustainability, education and program evaluation, and her work in ecotourism, community development, environmental consulting and health care, among many other things.
Sonja manages the development and implementation of environmental sustainability policy, strategic communications and engagement plans, and capacity building for sustainable and resilient health care across diverse departments in the health system.
I love bringing staff from different departments and disciplines together to reduce our environmental footprint and increase health system resilience to climate change.
Mauricio Acosta
Executive Director,
Robert Bradley
Director, Energy and
Craig Dedels
Manager, Climate Risk & Resilience
Ghazal Ebrahimi
PHSA Energy and
Mehrdad Gharibnavaz
Providence Health Care
Kori Jones
VCH Energy and
Jeson Mak
Fraser Health Energy and
Vacant
Regional Thermal Energy
Maleeka Aamer
Fraser Health Energy Specialist
Sabah Ali
Regional Energy
Ghazal Ebrahimi
PHSA Energy and
Mehrdad Gharibnavaz
Providence Health Care
Kori Jones
VCH Energy and
Kelly Lim
VCH Energy Specialist
Jeson Mak
Fraser Health Energy and
Suman Mandal
Providence Health Care
Cathy McDonald
Regional Energy
Sze Tam
PHSA Energy Specialist
Vacant
Regional Thermal Energy
Sonja Janousek
Environmental
Nina Akhtar
Sustainability Consultant
Vacant
Sustainability Consultant
Marianne Dawson
Sustainability Consultant
Emily Lomax
Sustainability Consultant
Sonja Janousek
Environmental