“We can each be a leader for sustainability efforts in individual corners of the world.” says Jennifer Zumsteg, physician and recent graduate of Leadership in Green Health Care program. “I value the collaboration we cultivated because I feel that with each small success we move healthcare forward in a "greener" direction.”

Dr. Zumsteg is beginning a 3-year research fellowship with the Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program at University of Washington after completing her residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Washington. Her research specifically evaluates ways to improve the environmental impact of health care at the levels of physician-patient education and physician care at the bedside. Dr. Zumsteg reflects, “I have observed the decision making process about product purchasing in clinical care, noticing that it is based solely on physician’s personal preference. This is driving my interest in generating data about the environmental impact of these decisions.”

This new research is leading edge by generating comparisons of the environmental impact of disposable vs. reusable electrodes for nerve conduction studies. She is also addressing other medical materials and products in her research; including battery use, durable medical equipment, prosthetic limbs, and wound care supplies. Dr. Zumsteg is using life cycle assessment (LCA) to accurately compare the environmental impact of two or more of these products. LCA is a standardized protocol that allows for evaluation of a technology product or system from the acquisition of raw materials through manufacturing and use up to disposal/recycling of the product. Over time, Dr. Zumsteg’s goal is to incorporate LCA into a more comprehensive environmental quality improvement approach in health care.

Dr. Zumsteg’s skills are not exclusive to research, she focuses on traumatic brain injury in clinical care through the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Her clinical responsibilities incorporate teaching of medical students and residents in the University of Washington system. In her field, Dr. Zumsteg acknowledges “there are excellent grass-root programs fueled by passionate and talented people interested in promoting sustainability in health care.

Interestingly, Dr. Zumsteg warns that “Our gut feelings about greening aren't always correct and we need better metrics and data to guide our decisions and to justify our greening efforts to skeptics and those watching the bottom line. Now is a time of great opportunity in advancing the metrics in this area; from focused efforts such as carbon foot printing for hospitals to more comprehensive analysis such as comparative process-based LCA. I think the next 10 years will be quite innovative.”

Leadership in Green Health Care encourages participants to articulate their green vision, find colleagues who share this vision, and work collaboratively to make positive change. The course emphasizes that creating alliances within health facilities and within the local communities creates lasting ecological change. “I enthusiastically encourage people to publish their successes and failures in the form of case studies, descriptions of educational interventions and original research in the area.” concludes Dr. Zumsteg.