One of the primary principles of the medical profession is "First, do no harm." While this ethic was once restricted to bedside decision-making, it increasingly frames discussions about the environmental and health impacts of the modern medical industry, from supply purchasing to building design.

 

The MC/HS Architect is an active participant in this emerging dialogue. Most visibly, all new buildings on the medical campus pursue LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) certification. The first group of green buildings include: the School of Nursing, MSRB II research building, and the Duke Integrative Medicine.

 

Supporting the larger campus’s environmental needs, Sustainability was added as a core aspect of Duke Medicine’s new Framework Plan. With input from leading environmental consultants The Folsom Group, the report makes recommendations on energy efficiency, stormwater management, construction standards, alternative transportation and other environmentally forward themes.

 

Further examples of the MC/HS Architect’s office commitment to green healthcare include the hiring of a LEED accredited professional in 2006 and specific initiatives such as green housekeeping and green roof design.

 

To learn more about LEED, visit the U.S. Green Building Council: http://www.usgbc.org

 

For further information on the sustainability across the larger Duke campus, visit Sustainability @ Duke website: http://www.duke.edu/sustainability