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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 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/or 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.
Connecting and supporting diverse individuals and groups in the Lower Mainland health organizations, GreenCare amplifies and celebrates projects, programs and staff that advance environmental sustainability solutions in health-care delivery and population health. The GreenCare website acts as a home and resource to support these efforts.
To inspire and empower all 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.
The Energy and Environmental Sustainability (EES) team was created in 2010 to ensure that a collaborative energy and environmental sustainability approach is taken across these Lower Mainland health organizations:
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.
Angie Woo
Climate Risk and
Resilience Manager
Angie has worked to develop and manage large-scale and complex programs integrating climate resilience into disaster risk management in Asia, and to guide cities and companies in sustainability reporting in Europe, Africa and B.C. Her passion for cross-disciplinary learning and application through development of communities of practice is grounded in a master of science in environmental sustainability from the University of Edinburgh and a bachelor of earth sciences from the University of Calgary.
Angie leads the Climate Risk and Resilience program for the Lower Mainland health organizations, which works to identify and address climate risks and impacts to health facilities, clinical service delivery and people. Her work recognizes that climate risks are exacerbated by compound hazards (e.g. pandemic, seismic) and cascading impacts (e.g. among critical infrastructure and services), and, as such, strategic planning and partnerships are key to building long-term resilience of health campuses and organizations to climate shocks and stresses. Concurrently, Angie collaborates with other programs to seek synergies with GHG-emissions reduction (low-carbon resilience) and co-benefits with health and well-being.
Climate change is an enormous, complex and growing challenge for us all. I feel grateful and privileged to work with our team and program partners to shine a light on how we can build resilience and create pathways forward that help us work at the scale of our shared challenge.
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.
Ryan Galloway
Regional Thermal Energy
Manager
Ryan has spent the last eight years working to advance building technologies to reduce energy consumption and associated emissions. His work experience combines time in both health care and affordable housing building operations.
As thermal energy manager, Ryan strives to find the balance between adopting innovative technologies and finding solutions that support site operators. He also supports the energy managers of the Lower Mainland health organizations on large capital projects and new construction projects.
I love the people and the interesting and unique opportunities we find working in collaboration to improve the health and wellness of our facilities.
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.
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.
Gaurav Shah
Providence Health Care
Energy Specialist
Gaurav is a civil engineering graduate who is passionate about using and expanding his technical aptitude in the journey toward a more sustainable environment.
Gaurav’s work primarily involves tracking and coordinating energy efficiency projects across the portfolio under Providence, which includes investigating practical energy efficiency solutions for buildings and helping offset the costs of energy efficiency projects through available incentives.
The fact that the projects I am involved in will directly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reduction is the thing that I love most about my work. This makes me feel like I am a member of a wider community, which is aligning its efforts to combat climate change.
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 UBC, 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.
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.
Aubree McAtee
Sustainability Consultant
Aubree is a settler of mixed-European ancestry, who grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California. She is a recent settler on the unceded Coast Salish territories, where she landed to pursue a master in education for sustainability at UBC.
Aubree currently coordinates the Green+Leaders program and supports a network of engaged health-care staff in projects and initiatives to advance sustainability across the Lower Mainland health organizations.
I am passionate about restoring ecological balance, regenerative agriculture (or food systems) and environmental justice. I enjoy facilitating spaces that bridge connections and conservations that inspire health-care staff to take action for the places they inhabit to support community health and resilience.
Sarah Currie
Sustainability Consultant
With a master of science in leadership for sustainable development from Queen’s University, Belfast, Sarah spent five years in the field of sustainable tourism management in Europe, before moving to Canada, where she worked for both Heritage BC and UBC’s Sustainability Initiative, leading programs and engaging stakeholders in sustainability.
Sarah is responsible for leading and managing staff engagement and strategic communications initiatives across the Lower Mainland health organizations. This includes managing the GreenCare community, the Green+Leaders volunteer program, and supporting her team with various communications and engagement activities. As a Prosci change management practitioner, Sarah supports staff at all levels in health care to implement sustainability projects and drive culture change through coaching and funding support.
I am a people-person through and through, and love connecting with staff across multiple departments who share a passion for improving the sustainability of our health care system. I am proud to work with such a talented, motivated and fun team!
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.
Aubree McAtee
Sustainability Consultant
Aubree is a settler of mixed-European ancestry, who grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California. She is a recent settler on the unceded Coast Salish territories, where she landed to pursue a master in education for sustainability at UBC.
Aubree currently coordinates the Green+Leaders program and supports a network of engaged health-care staff in projects and initiatives to advance sustainability across the Lower Mainland health organizations.
I am passionate about restoring ecological balance, regenerative agriculture (or food systems) and environmental justice. I enjoy facilitating spaces that bridge connections and conservations that inspire health-care staff to take action for the places they inhabit to support community health and resilience.
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.
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.
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.
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
Angie Woo
Climate Risk and
Maleeka Aamer
Fraser Health Energy Specialist
Sabah Ali
Regional Energy
Ghazal Ebrahimi
PHSA Energy and
Ryan Galloway
Regional Thermal Energy
Mehrdad Gharibnavaz
Providence Health Care
Kori Jones
VCH Energy and
Kelly Lim
VCH Energy Specialist
Jeson Mak
Fraser Health Energy and
Cathy McDonald
Regional Energy
Gaurav Shah
Providence Health Care
Sze Tam
PHSA Energy Specialist
Sonja Janousek
Environmental
Aubree McAtee
Sustainability Consultant
Sarah Currie
Sustainability Consultant
Sonja Janousek
Environmental
Aubree McAtee
Sustainability Consultant
Marianne Dawson
Sustainability Consultant
Sonja Janousek
Environmental
Sonja Janousek
Environmental
Emily Lomax
Sustainability Consultant
Sonja Janousek
Environmental