The facility earned this designation because of its environmentally responsible design and efficient operating systems.

Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland Clinic recently learned that Marymount Hospital's Surgery Expansion earned LEED- NCv2.2 Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The facility earned this designation because of its environmentally responsible design and efficient operating systems. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. High-performance buildings conserve energy and water, save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

"This distinction further demonstrates Cleveland Clinic's commitment to designing and building safe, efficient buildings using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED system and evidence-based design. This results in healthier and safer environments in which employees can work and patients can heal," said Christopher Parkinson, Interim Director, for Cleveland Clinic's Office for a Healthy Environment.

Marymount Hospital opened its new Surgery Center and entranceway in March of 2012. The three-story, 45,000-square-foot addition features seven operating rooms, which are 50 percent larger to allow for the use of state-of-the-art technologies. The expansion also included one minor procedure room, a new entranceway and surgical waiting room. The center achieved LEED Gold certification for water efficiency, energy savings, recycling efforts, improved air quality and innovative design features including low-rise traction elevators and lighting.

"We realize the importance of designing spaces that are innovative, environmentally friendly and improve patient care," said Joanne Zeroske, President and CEO of Marymount Hospital. "The new surgery center makes things more convenient, accessible and comfortable for our patients."

Cleveland Clinic's health system features 12 other LEED-certified buildings and projects. This includes the Global Cardiovascular and Innovation Center, Twinsburg Family Health and Surgery Center, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute (LL Building), the East 89th Street Service Center and Garage, the JJ North office building, Hillcrest Hospital's Jane and Lee Seidman Tower, Richard E. Jacobs Health Center, Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center, Cleveland Clinic Data Center, Cleveland Clinic Florida Meridian Phase II, the Strongsville Radiation Oncology Center Expansion Project and the Wooster Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Cleveland Clinic is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and Practice Greenhealth and is a U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Partner. Cleveland Clinic was named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2011 and 2012, and has been awarded over 75 Practice Greenhealth Awards since 2008, including its top level award, the Environmental Leadership Award for the Main Campus in 2010, 2011 and 2012. For more information on Cleveland Clinic's energy conservation and sustainability efforts, visit Cleveland Clinic's Office for a Healthy Environment.

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S.News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. About 2,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 11,000 nurses represent 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic Health System includes a main campus near downtown Cleveland, eight community hospitals and 18 Family Health Centers in Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic Canada, and opening in 2013, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In 2010, there were 4 million visits throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and 167,000 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 100 countries. Visit us at www.clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.