WellSpan addresses health threats

WellSpan Health is mapping out its priorities for a sustainable future, an inclusive culture, and community health with its first Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report.  

“In health care, we see every day how environmental and societal factors create additional health threats. At WellSpan, we are committed to identifying and addressing those head on as part of our overall commitment to improve the health of the communities we serve,” said Roxanna Gapstur, president and CEO, WellSpan Health. 

In 2022, WellSpan launched its Path to 2030 sustainability strategy to elevate sustainable best practices across the system in support of its vision to be “A Trusted Partner, Reimagining Healthcare, Inspiring Health”, WellSpan said. 

Those priorities include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the end of the decade; reducing energy and chemical use; greening of clinical operations; and sourcing locally, WellSpan said. 

To address employee safety and well-being, WellSpan said it expanded employee benefits to include fertility treatment, adoption benefits, and enhanced vision coverage.   

WellSpan also said it supported more than 1,400 team members by investing more than $4 million into continued educational opportunities last year. 

WellSpan has placed a priority on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, committees, mentorships, trainings and resources to improve inclusion so everyone can thrive. Some of the programs and initiatives include: 

•  Inclusion Champions Program for team members to aid in speaking up and calling our bias, 
• Growing diversity in the organization’s leadership team, and 
• Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit, the first of its kind to be held in Pennsylvania. 

The report also shows WellSpan Health has provided more than $312.8 million into the community in fiscal year 2022 through charity care, community programs and outreach, unreimbursed Medicaid costs and supplemental medical, dental and pharmaceutical support services. 

 “We are proud of our accomplishments yet humbled by the enormity of the challenges and opportunities facing the healthcare industry, our communities, and our world,” said Gapstur. “We are dedicated to this work for the long term, knowing that ESG progress is a journey of continuous improvement.”