UCI Health named the Healthcare Design 10 Outstanding Organization
Health system is pioneering a more sustainable model for the industry
Orange, Calif. — UCI Health has been honored with Healthcare Design magazine’s HCD 10 Outstanding Organization award.
“UCI Health approaches environmental stewardship through the lens of patient health, community resilience, and operational performance,” says the publication. The prestigious award honors organizations that strive to address the most complex challenges facing the industry.
“UCI Health recognizes the connection between human health, environmental health, and the well-being of our patients,” Tony Dover, energy management and sustainability officer at UCI Health, told the publication. “We want to continue advancing climate solutions that make a difference.”
UCI Health recognizes the urgency for climate action and is dedicated to addressing it. A Sustainability Leadership Committee drives sustainability initiatives across the organization. This 20-member multidisciplinary group formed in 2023 and is co-chaired by the chief operating officer and the energy management and sustainability officer.
The most recent evidence of the health system’s commitment is UCI Health — Irvine, the nation’s first all-electric acute care hospital, which opened in December 2025. Earlier this month, UCI Health was also awarded the Practice Greenhealth Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award, placing it among North America’s top health systems for sustainability.
In addition:
- In 2025, UCI Health became the first UC and fourth healthcare organization in the state to earn the Sustainable Healthcare Certification from The Joint Commission. This certification provides a framework to help organizations expand or continue their decarbonization efforts and receive public recognition of their commitment and achievements in contributing to environmental sustainability.
- In 2022, UCI Health signed The White House/Department of Health & Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge. In signing the pledge, UCI Health has committed to climate resilience and emissions reduction that includes cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
- Continued focus on Energy Management & Decarbonization has led to a steady decrease in emissions, 45% reduction from our 2019 baseline.
- At UCI Health ― Orange, the facilities team has transitioned more than 95% of its landscaping equipment from gas-powered to cleaner, quieter battery-powered tools.
- UCI Health decreased the use of nitrous oxide and eliminated the use of desflurane, an inhaled anesthetic gas with the highest global warming potential
- Established a Healthy Interiors program and increased our volume of sustainable furniture (having no chemicals of concern) purchases by 82%.
Learn more about UCI Health Sustainability.
About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.