Preserving the environment is something that most health professionals and institutions recognize as important, yet many do not have programs to do so. Seeing sustainability as something "enjoyable to have" rather than atop priority can be detrimental not only to a healthcare organization's community, but also to its outcomes. There are several reasons why it is essential for healthcare organizations to change their thinking to put sustainability at the forefront and center of the organizational priorities that will be studied in this course.

Sustainability initiatives offer significant environmental and economic benefits for healthorganizations– benefits that will help hospitals and care systems thrive now and in the future. However, to be truly sustainable, initiatives must stand the test oftime, being fiscally sound and at the same time contributing to the benefit of the community and theenvironment. In addition, sustainability should be part of the hospitals' strategic business plan and be the driving force behind infrastructure initiatives and improvements.