Texan by Nature is excited to recognize Texas Health Resources as a 2025 TxN 20 honoree for their leadership in conservation and sustainability. Texas Health Resources‘ commitment to conservation, their projects, programs, best practices, and lessons learned are an example and inspiration for us all.

Honoree Name: Texas Health Resources

Honoree Industry and Size: Health, Enterprise

Company Overview:
Texas Health Resources (Texas Health) is a faith-based, nonprofit health system that cares for more patients in North Texas than any other provider. With a service area that consists of 16 counties and more than 8 million people, the system is committed to providing quality, coordinated care through its Texas Health Physicians Group and 29 hospital locations under the banners of Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial and Texas Health Harris Methodist. Texas Health access points and services, ranging from acute-care hospitals and trauma centers to outpatient facilities and home health and preventive services, provide the full continuum of care for all stages of life. The system has more than 4,400 licensed hospital beds, 6,400 physicians with medical staff privileges, and more than 29,000 employees. For more information about Texas Health, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit www.TexasHealth.org.

What is Texas Health Resources’ conservation and sustainability mission and why is it important to its culture?
The mission of Texas Health is “to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve,” and optimizing our environment of care is one way we accomplish that Mission. Our conservation statement is “Texas Health invests in keeping our environment of care safe, healthy, and efficient to provide an exceptional healing experience for the people we serve as well as an optimum work environment for our employees.”

Conservation of resources is vital to Texas Health’s long-term sustainability and to the well-being of the people living in the communities we serve. We always strive to be mindful of our footprint, implementing constant sustainability efforts and consistently looking for ways to improve.

As a health system, optimizing conservation is about much more than simply using less energy and water. It’s about providing accessible and appropriate resources to improve people’s health. Conservation is about making strategic investments to operate more efficiently and consume fewer materials, while also reducing poor health outcomes, addressing nonmedical barriers to health, and improving health outcomes for all North Texans.

Within our walls, we have taken steps to conserve natural resources. From building energy-efficient facilities to repurposing and recycling waste materials to utilizing low-water-use irrigation, Texas Health is committed to conservation. As a high-reliability organization, Texas Health works to reduce any strain on both the natural and manmade resources we depend on to succeed. 

What steps is Texas Health Resources taking to address global natural resource challenges, and how are these efforts integrated into its overall business strategy?
Healthcare is a 24/7 industry. Our hospitals are always open, and with more than 420 points of access across North Texas, we must reduce waste and optimize efficiency for the health of our patients, staff, and communities. 

We design our care environments to be warm and welcoming and to bring comfort to people in need. Our priorities are to deliver safe, high-quality care and maintain sustainability through operational effectiveness, innovative care, and a high-performing culture.

We incorporate efficiency features into new building designs, expansions, and upgrades to reduce expenses and carbon emissions. To monitor consumption and identify opportunities, we conduct regular energy audits. Despite expanding our building footprint by 27.7% since 2012, we’ve reduced energy use by 11.8% per square foot. We also diverted nearly 1.2 million pounds of materials from landfills in 2024 through recycling and reuse. 

The following highlights are ongoing:

• To help sustain the growing North Texas population’s water needs, we use low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, and water-efficient irrigation systems. 
• Texas Health participates in the North Texas Healthcare Laundry Cooperative, which allows us to wash linens using 50 percent less water, chemicals, and energy than traditional laundry services. The facility uses an Omni Solutions system that dissolves organic materials from water through an enhanced oxidation process, allowing the reuse of water that was previously unusable. This system, along with new, advanced technology in tunnel washers, has reduced water consumption by 50 percent annually.
• We use thermal ice storage tanks to significantly reduce the energy needed for cooling. The system creates and stores ice during the night, when electricity usage and rates are lower. Through a melting process, the ice is used for cooling during the hottest part of the day, when electricity usage is at its highest. As a result, we often turn off power chillers, saving a tremendous amount of resources.  
• Texas Health conserves materials by buying less, reusing and recycling what we can, and responsibly disposing of what we must. We have established policies and protocols that reinforce the safe handling, storage, and disposal of materials. A national waste disposal company trains our staff in the proper handling of medical and other hazardous waste, and removes chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other materials directly from our facilities.
• We’re also involved in numerous community health-related sustainability efforts such as urban farms, community and school gardens, farmers markets, food pantries and food access programs, and park revitalizations.

Who in Texas Health Resources is leading your conservation and sustainability efforts? What are some examples of employee engagement in conservation and sustainability at Texas Health Resources?
More than 400 employees across the Texas Health system are involved in some aspect of conservation — either full-time or part-time — as part of their role. Oversight of our high-reliability organization initiative, clinical care programs, quality and safety measures, financial well-being, environmental conservation efforts, and community outreach spans multiple areas of the organization. We’re focused on meeting the health and well-being needs of our employees and the people living in our communities in the safest and most efficient ways possible.

Senior leaders from Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Real Estate, Engineering, Patient Quality and Safety, and Community Engagement and Advocacy make up the leadership team overseeing most conservation and sustainability initiatives/efforts at Texas Health. They are Barclay Berdan, Chief Executive Officer; Winjie Miao, Chief Operating Officer; Laura Irvine, Chief Strategy & Experience Officer; Rick McWhorter, Chief Financial Officer; Shaun Clinton, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management; David Tesmer, Chief Community and Public Policy Officer; Josh Floren, Hospital Channel Chief Operating Officer; and Brian Holmes, Vice President of Facilities Development & Construction.

We proudly contribute impactfully to our communities. In 2024, 2,000 employees participated in giving 10,655 hours to more than 300 nonprofits through more than 700 Community Time Off (CTO) projects across North Texas. Projects ranged from food banks and urban farms to homeless shelters and vaccination events in serving the needs of our communities. On average, employees annually volunteer hundreds of hours to support a variety of conservation projects across our service area. Some of those projects include conservation and sustainability-specific work, including Gardening to Feed the Hungry, Opal’s Farm, Wings of Hope, Beautifying White Rock Lake, the Great American Cleanup, Weekday Work at the Extension Farm, and Farmers Assisting Returning Military, among others.

“Being named to the TxN 20 is more than an honor – it’s a reflection of our unwavering commitment to building a healthier future for Texans, not just through care, but through conservation. At Texas Health, we believe that sustainability is a form of stewardship, and caring for our environment is deeply connected to caring for our communities.”

– Barclay Berdan, CEO of Texas Health

What conservation and sustainability programs and projects does Texas Health Resources lead and participate in?
As our region expands, so does our commitment to responsible growth. We invest in conservation projects that reduce environmental impact, lower costs, and support healthier communities.

Sustainable Design

Our dedication to fostering holistic healing is reflected in the thoughtful design of our spaces. We prioritize consumers’ safety, privacy, and comfort, and ways to optimize the work experience for care teams and staff while ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability.

We design new buildings to meet the rigorous Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and adhere to LEED principles when revitalizing existing facilities where feasible. We also incorporate the American Institute of Architects’ Framework for Design Excellence guiding principles for sustainability into our building processes.

Some of our sustainable practices include “smart” building controls, real-time location systems, rainwater and condensation harvesting, and energy-efficient LED fixtures. These initiatives improve efficiency and conservation and lower utility costs.

Healing Features

Recognizing the impact of patient-centric design on the recovery process, we cultivate a calming and restorative atmosphere through:

• Optimizing natural lighting and access to nature.
• Incorporating sound-absorbing materials and acoustic design principles.
• Using color and art to create positive surroundings.
• Empowering patients to adjust the room temperature and lighting from their beds.

Additionally, we reduce impacts by:

• Installing “smart” building controls that integrate with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting systems. These enable buildings to run at peak performance while consuming less energy.
• Installing real-time location systems.
• Collecting rainwater and air-conditioning condensation for reuse in landscaping and cooling towers. 
• Capturing “free” heat using chillers that extract heat from the chilled water loop. 
• Preheating water used in restrooms and kitchens, using water returned from heat-recovery chillers. 
• Reducing airflow in vacant operating rooms to reduce energy use. Controls are designed to maintain proper air pressure. 
• Using wireless and efficient LED controls that adjust to daylight in garages or brighten corridors during visiting hours. 
• Installing efficient variable frequency drives on motorized plant equipment to reduce energy consumption. 

What strategies does Texas Health Resources use to educate and raise awareness among employees, customers, and stakeholders about the importance of conservation and sustainability?
At Texas Health, conservation and sustainability are not just operational priorities; they are fundamental values woven into the fabric of our organization. We raise awareness through a multifaceted strategy that engages employees, consumers, and stakeholders in meaningful ways. Transparency plays a key role: Our annual Community Responsibility Report spotlights our environmental performance, strategic goals, and community impact. Externally, we champion local change through Texas Health Community Hope, a comprehensive platform of more than 30 community health initiatives focused on enhancing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being across the regions we serve. In collaboration with city officials, schools, and nonprofit partners, we revitalize vacant land by transforming it into vibrant urban farms, educational school gardens, and nourishing green spaces that foster improved nutrition, lifelong learning, and community renewal.

Inside the organization, we invest in technology-driven awareness, using operational dashboards to monitor performance, identify areas for improvement, and share key metrics across teams. These education efforts are designed to foster a shared sense of purpose, drive innovation, reinforce environmentally conscious decision-making, and enhance environmental stewardship.

By empowering individuals at every level, we’re creating a culture where sustainability is not only practiced but also understood, valued, and celebrated.

Can you share specific examples of successful partnerships or innovative collaborations Texas Health Resources has formed with other organizations to enhance sustainability and conservation outcomes?
In 2024, Texas Health advanced community wellness through innovative programs that go beyond traditional healthcare. By addressing root causes such as food insecurity, we worked with partners to support shelters, gardens, markets, and revitalized public spaces. 

The following are examples of Texas Health Community Hope initiatives:

Community Food Systems

Texas Health supports urban farmers and farmers’ markets, promotes collaborative partnerships among growers, distributors, and retailers, and encourages policies that remove barriers to nutritious food. Since launching our food access initiatives in 2020, we have provided 2,138,600 pounds of produce to 368,364 individuals. 

Good For You Healthy Hub

Access to affordable, healthy food can greatly impact health outcomes, especially in children. Traditional food pantries generally offer nonperishable, processed foods. The Good For You Healthy Hub program focuses on supplementing fruits and vegetables. Each location serves from 50 to 70 families each time one opens its doors. Larger pantries may serve up to 1,200 families per month.

Produce Recovery Program

Creating sustainable solutions means reducing food waste. The Culled Produce Recovery Program diverts thousands of pounds of produce each week from landfills to local farmers and families in need. 

In partnership with three G.E. Foodland grocery stores in Fort Worth, four urban farms, and 11 food pantries, the program has diverted more than 633,000 pounds of produce since its launch. In 2024, the program expanded to additional locations, successfully diverting 237,573 pounds of produce from landfills. Of this, 185,706 pounds were composted for reuse in urban farms, while 51,867 pounds of edible produce were redirected to community pantries.

How does Texas Health Resources quantify investment and return on conservation and sustainability?
Texas Health takes a data-driven approach to measuring the impact of our conservation and sustainability efforts, translating environmental stewardship into tangible operational value. 

The following are our conservation and sustainability metrics:

• Water saved, conserved, reduced, and/or other (gallons per year): 593 million gallons of water — an amount sufficient to fill about 900 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
• Land or habitat created, managed, restored and/or other (total acres per year): Texas Health Community Hope, in conjunction with community partners — city/county government, schools, and other organizations — is helping to fund, develop and manage more than 4 acres of vacant city land turned into urban farms and community gardens, as well as supporting more than 20 school gardens. 
• People involved in conservation (total people/year): Approximately 400 employees have some aspect of natural resource conservation as part of their job.
• Waste diverted (tons/year): In 2024, Texas Health generated nearly 18.9 million pounds of solid waste, 1.4 million pounds of medical waste, and 6,977 pounds of nonhazardous pharmaceutical waste that could not be repurposed or returned. Texas Health recycled 1.05 million pounds of cardboard and mixed materials, such as cans, paper, and plastic, and avoided generating an estimated 365,937 pounds of greenhouse gases by reusing sharps containers from September 2023 to August 2024. This is the equivalent of the energy used in nearly 20 homes for one year. 
• Energy saved (kWh/year): Reduced year-over-year energy consumption by 1.3 % and cut energy use per square foot by 1%, meeting our goal.

We transparently report our performance data in our Community Resource Report. The 2024 Environment of Care data is noted below.

How does Texas Health Resources see the future of conservation and sustainability evolving, and what role will it play in that progress?
The future of sustainability lies in holistic, community-based strategies that link environmental stewardship with human health. Texas Health is helping lead that evolution by reimagining healthcare as a force for resilience and conservation.

These initiatives go beyond reducing environmental impact; they empower local communities through efforts like Good For You Healthy Hubs, offering produce and nutrition education to vulnerable families. The Culled Produce Recovery Program reduces food waste while supporting those in need. 

Texas Health also champions green infrastructure through LEED-certified facilities and energy-saving technologies. With deep community partnerships across schools, farms, and nonprofits, we’re turning our facilities into hubs for environmental and physical healing.

As sustainability evolves, this model offers a scalable blueprint for how health systems can drive lasting change. By treating environmental health as integral to well-being, Texas Health is pioneering a new role for health organizations: catalysts for healthier people and a healthier planet.

What is the one lesson that Texas Health Resources has learned from its conservation and sustainability efforts that others can take back and think about applying within their own space?
At Texas Health, we believe that the most powerful sustainability strategies focus not only on environmental impact but also on advancing community health. Our conservation efforts go beyond reducing emissions or saving water, they’re embedded into daily operations and deeply connected to improving lives.

One key learning from our efforts is that sustainability succeeds when it’s part of the mission, not a side initiative. Organizations across sectors can apply this by aligning environmental goals with human impact. Engaging local voices, building for resilience, and designing systems that serve both people and the planet is key to long-term success.

Why is Texas an important home or base of operations for Texas Health Resources?
Texas Health is all-in on North Texas. Our organization was born here, we’re based here, and we’re solely focused on this region. More consumers choose Texas Health for acute care than any other provider in North Texas. And we are growing with the region, expanding access to care with both physical locations and virtual options.  It’s meaningful to care for the health and well-being of our friends, family, and neighbors in the communities where we live, work, play, and pray.

Operating in Texas means being part of a dynamic and diverse population. The region’s skilled healthcare workforce, growing infrastructure, and vibrant economy make it an ideal environment for collaboration, resilience, and sustainable growth. Being rooted in Texas also gives us the opportunity to invest locally, from sourcing essential medical supplies to expanding regional partnerships, all while improving access to safe, reliable, and high-quality care. Every aspect of our operations is strengthened by the values and vitality of Texas, and we are proud to help advance the health and well-being of the communities we call home.

Is there anything else you’d like to share that makes Texas Health Resources’s strategy and approach to conservation and environmental sustainability unique?
Texas Health conscientiously manages natural resources and materials to reduce consumption, costs, and environmental impacts. We also leverage our buying power to keep a steady supply of lifesaving equipment and supplies while conserving resources and lowering waste. Texas Health continues to optimize its systems, workflows, and processes to help us deliver reliable, safe, high-quality care. Reducing unnecessary variation in care saves lives, reduces medical errors, provides a better care experience, and lowers costs. 

For example, Texas Health’s strategic supply chain investments are part of our overall plan to source critical supplies locally and in the U.S. in the most efficient, affordable, and reliable ways. Though the pandemic exposed the fragility of the nation’s healthcare supply chain, Texas Health has continued to build upon its existing systems and assets to maintain all supplies at optimal levels and, in many cases, help other businesses to do the same.

Other examples:

• Our relationship with Premier Inc., a group purchasing organization, allowed us to invest in domestic mask and isolation gown manufacturing. These strategic investments are part of our overall plan to source critical supplies locally or in the U.S. To stimulate regional economic growth, we purchase locally when feasible. A manufacturing facility is set to open this year in Fort Worth. 
• Global supply chain challenges compounded by the pandemic have made it more difficult to maintain an inventory of critical pharmaceuticals. To help relieve this burden, we joined 10 other health systems to purchase a minority stake in Exela Pharma Sciences, allowing us to receive an uninterrupted supply of specialized medicines at a lower cost.
• We are part of a U.S. healthcare collaborative that combines and assesses de-identified consumer data to analyze and address shared healthcare challenges. We also created 20 new analytical dashboards that monitor operational and clinical performance, so we can quickly make refinements, if needed.
• Our subsidiary OnHand, powered by Texas Health Supply Chain Services, helps non-acute care providers and smaller organizations make their supply chains more efficient, affordable, and reliable. Participants receive access to Texas Health’s discounted purchasing contracts, a robust materials management information system, and operational expertise. 

Find out more about Texas Health Resources’ conservation and sustainability efforts here.