AHN Wexford Hospital Awarded Prestigious Green Building Certification

AHN’s newest hospital joins an international group of sustainable and innovative buildings that have received LEED certification

WEXFORD, Pa. – Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) newest full-service hospital, AHN Wexford, has been awarded LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). As the most widely used green building rating system in the world, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a transformative tool that ensures a building is designed and operated to achieve high performance, improve human health and protect the environment.

The 158-bed hospital in Pine Township achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. AHN Wexford first opened its doors to patients in September 2021. HKS served as the architect for the project, and Gilbane/Massaro was the lead construction partner.

“AHN Wexford Hospital is a prime example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “The hospital’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership and a commitment to making the world a better place.”

According to USGBC, buildings are responsible for an enormous amount of global energy use, resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and have a significant impact on our personal health and wellbeing. In the U.S., buildings account for almost 40 percent of national CO2 emissions. LEED-certified buildings have 34 percent lower CO2 emissions, consume 25 percent less energy and 11 percent less water, and have diverted more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills.

AHN Wexford Hospital joins the AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion in achieving LEED certification. The pavilion, which is located adjacent to the hospital and offers a range of primary, specialty and outpatient care services, became LEED-certified in 2015 after opening its doors a year earlier.

“Essential to AHN’s commitment to providing world-class health care programs and services is doing so in a way that prioritizes the environment alongside the health and wellbeing of our patients, visitors, clinicians and staff,” said Allan Klapper, MD, president, AHN Wexford Hospital. “Achieving LEED certification is a reflection of that commitment, and also serves as an important milestone in our continuous efforts to operate as efficiently and sustainably as possible across our Wexford campus.”

AHN Wexford has received numerous other awards and accolades since opening, including the 2021 Building Excellence Award from the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania, ‘Best Project in Health Care’ award from Engineering News-Record MidAtlantic and a 2022 Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Award. Earlier this year, the AHN Wexford emergency department was recognized by Press Ganey with a Guardian of Excellence® Award in the patient experience category. The hospital also received this year honorable mention in Healthcare Design Magazine’s annual ‘design showcase’ awards program.

To learn more about Wexford Hospital, visit  www.ahn.org/wexford. To view a full directory of LEED-certified projects, visit www.usgbc.org/projects.

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About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a healthy, resilient and equitable future for all through the development of green buildings, cities and communities. For more than 20 years, USGBC has been advancing green building practices through the development of LEED, the world’s most widely used green building program. With the support of thousands of members, volunteers and partners, USGBC provides robust green building education courses, a rigorous professional credentialing program, and advocates for effective public policies. It convenes an international network of green building and sustainability leaders through the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and forward thinking programs, including the Center for Green Schools. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.