Page 7 - Kadlec Regional Medical Center | 2012 Community Report

“ Green ” Award & Saving Green
Kadlec joined forces with Apollo Solutions Group to reduce energy consumption by
making many important changes, including adding solar panels and two miniature wind
turbines to the roof. The project also involved replacing some 6,000 light bulbs and
upgrading an old boiler system to a far more efficient model.
Initial construction of the hospital began in 1968, so much of its equipment – including
heating, cooling and lighting systems – was outdated and operating inefficiently. Kadlec
and Apollo researched, redesigned and retrofitted major systems – ultimately reducing
Kadlec’s energy costs by 30% and saving $300,000 annually in utility costs.
The innovative effort won Project of the Year honors in the City of Richland’s 2012 Green
Recognition Program. It honors businesses and organizations working to reduce their
impact on the environment.
Kadlec contributed $4.5 million to the upgrades and Apollo leveraged all possible
sources for funding for the $7.2 million project. The firm authored and was awarded a
$2 million grant and loan package from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
In addition, Apollo proactively worked with the City of Richland and the Bonneville
Power Administration to obtain $900,000 in cash and incentives. In total, the project
was awarded $1.5 million in cash grants and incentives as well as a $1.4 million
low-interest loan.
Advisory Council
Listening to patients is a vital part of Planetree and one important way Kadlec does that
is through the Patient Advisory Council. Its mission is to be a constant source of input
about plans for new service development, customer service enhancements, community
outreach and much more.
“The Medical Center has made great strides in listening to and educating patients over
the last several years,” says Advisory Council member Susan Senner of Richland.
Strong & Stable Staffing
With more than 2,200 personnel, Kadlec is one of the Tri-Cities’ ten largest employers.
Its workforce has almost tripled over the last ten years and will continue to grow at the
same – if not increased – rate as new facilities, services and clinics come online.
In 2011 there were 239 new hires out of more than 3,500 applications from all over the
country (more than 44 states). Four hundred eighty seven of those applications were from
Registered Nurses.
In 2012, as of December 1, Kadlec had hired 325 people out of nearly 3,800 applications.
Four hundred fifty of those applications came from qualified Registered Nurses.
Kadlec also continues to stay well below both state and national averages for turnover
rates, which also attests to its great team and culture.
“We believe illness can
be a transformational
experience for patients,
families and caregivers.”