We’re pleased to share that Weill Cornell Medicine, one of the nation’s most respected academic medical institutions, has begun a small-scale pilot of the My Green Doctor program—an important step toward building a more sustainable healthcare future.
With a network of over 1,300 physicians and 40+ patient care locations across New York City, Weill Cornell’s influence in healthcare delivery and education is far-reaching. The pilot, currently focused on a select practice within the system, reflects a growing interest in integrating climate-smart operations into everyday clinical care.
While this is an early-stage initiative for Weill Cornell, the My Green Doctor program itself is not new. Since its launch in 2010, MGD has been helping healthcare clinics, offices, and systems around the world make practical, measurable progress toward environmental sustainability—without compromising patient care, staff efficiency, or clinic finances.
MGD by the Numbers:
- 30 health professional societies offer MGD as a free membership benefit.
- 8,500 new users joined in 2023.
- 1.3 million physicians are represented through the World Medical Association, a participating organization.
- 19 countries have national medical associations that provide MGD resources.
By joining this global community of forward-thinking clinics, Weill Cornell is signaling its awareness that climate change is no longer a distant concern. It is already impacting public health, health equity, and healthcare delivery systems. Hospitals and medical practices are both vulnerable to climate risks and uniquely positioned to lead the solutions.
Why It Matters
The My Green Doctor program is built on a structured, step-by-step framework that helps busy medical teams integrate sustainability into practice operations. The benefits are wide-ranging:
Direct Benefits:
- Improved staff engagement and morale around a shared purpose.
- Cost savings through waste reduction, energy efficiency, and greener procurement.
- Enhanced patient trust and education by modeling environmental responsibility in care settings.
Indirect Benefits:
- Contributions to climate resilience in communities disproportionately affected by environmental health risks.
- Support for broader institutional goals in equity, population health, and public health leadership.
A Thoughtful Start, with an Eye on the Future
This pilot is modest in scale—but meaningful. It lays the groundwork for potential future expansion within Weill Cornell and serves as a valuable case study for other large institutions considering similar efforts.
At My Green Doctor, we are excited to support Weill Cornell’s journey and to learn alongside their team. Our mission has always been to make climate-smart healthcare not only possible—but practical—for every kind of medical practice, no matter the size or starting point.
As this pilot unfolds, we’ll be sharing learnings and milestones. Together, we’re building momentum for a healthcare sector that leads with science, compassion, and climate responsibility.
