HERSHEY, Pa. — The Arbor Day Foundation has named Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center a Tree Campus Healthcare facility. The program aims to transform community health and wellness and ultimately save lives through the health benefits provided by trees and recognize health care institutions that make an impact on wellness through tree planting, education and community engagement.
Hershey Medical Center is one of 16 health care facilities around the country to earn recognition in the foundation’s first year of the program. To receive Tree Campus Healthcare recognition, the medical center met five program standards: have an advisory committee, facility tree care plan, community forestry project, a celebration event and a financial investment toward a tree care plan or projects.
“Tree Campus Healthcare celebrates the efforts of health care facilities creating a healthier and greener property,” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees can play an important role in patient recovery and overall community wellness. This designation is a sign of health care facilities’ commitment to the connections between nature and health.”
Tree Campus Healthcare strives to improve human health outcomes by connecting inpatient health care facilities of all sizes with local community forestry programs, while improving the extent and condition of the community forest. Facilities in the U.S. delivering inpatient health care services are eligible for Tree Campus Healthcare recognition, including hospitals, senior care and other residential rehabilitation properties.
For more information, visit treecampushealthcare.org.