Earth Day Success Story: Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates at Payson House, New York City
Green Practice News applauds Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates at Payson House on earning the My Green Doctor Green Practice Recognition Certificate, Stage 1: Culture of Sustainability.
This recognition reflects a meaningful commitment to integrating environmental action into everyday operations—demonstrating that high-quality patient care and sustainability leadership go hand in hand.
The Payson House practice has shown that culture change begins with people. Under the leadership of Practice Supervisor Ashley Lewis and Medical Assistant Shafon Cox, the team has prioritized energy saving, education, and practical action. Since Fall 2025, the practice has included environmental sustainability in six of its staff meetings, an essential foundation for long-term success.
Education has been central to their approach. Staff have participated in learning sessions on environmental sustainability, energy use, solid waste recycling, and battery recycling. Patients are engaged as well, with My Green Doctor educational brochures placed in the waiting room covering four key topics. This teaching extends the practice’s impact beyond clinic walls and into the community.
Equally important are the tangible, everyday actions the team has implemented. The practice now powers down printers and turns off lights at night, reinforcing energy-smart habits. Recycling bins are accessible in the waiting room and throughout the office, supported by a formal battery recycling program. These steps may seem simple, but together they represent the kind of consistent, systems-based thinking that drives real progress in healthcare settings.
The financial benefits are real. The practice reports to us that they’ve received already a $2000 credit from their utility company, an annual Return on Investment of at least 600% for their investment in My Green Doctor! This parallels the experiences of other practices we have helped.
We congratulate the entire Weill Cornell Internal Medicine Associates at Payson House team for their leadership, teamwork, and commitment to prevention. We can’t wait to hear what they achieve in the year ahead!
