Greener Clinics, Healthier Patients — A View from Dr. Helen Dion

As a family doctor, I’ve always believed that good health starts with the environment around us. From the air we breathe to the buildings we step into, everything matters. Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly passionate about how our healthcare spaces — clinics, hospitals, and medical offices — can become part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem.

This blog draws from my peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Engineering Design and Technology, a respected international journal focused on innovation and real-world solutions in healthcare and design.

Why Energy Efficiency in Healthcare Matters

You might not realize this, but hospitals are among the most energy-intensive buildings in any city. They operate 24/7, with specialized equipment, advanced HVAC systems, and critical lighting that never shuts off. But just as we work to care for your health, hospitals can now be redesigned to care for the planet, too.

When healthcare facilities improve their energy use, it’s not just about cutting costs. It means:

• Cleaner air and reduced pollution in our communities
  
• Quieter, more comfortable spaces for healing
  
• Less strain on public health systems from environmental impacts
  

Smart infrastructure upgrades — such as LED lighting, solar panels, heat recovery systems, and high-efficiency HVAC — are already making a measurable difference, including here in Canada.

What I’ve Learned from Research and Practice

In 2023, I co-authored a peer-reviewed study examining how hospitals are embracing sustainability. We explored real-world examples of facilities that reduced their energy use by up to 30% through thoughtful design and strategic changes.

Some of the most effective approaches included:

• Green building design: Natural light, high-performance insulation, and space efficiency
  
• Automated energy monitoring: Systems that adjust lighting and climate in real time
  
• Staff engagement: Training teams to understand how their actions affect environmental performance
  

These aren’t just engineering upgrades — they support patient care. Studies show that quieter halls, better indoor air quality, and access to natural light can reduce stress, support better sleep, and even improve recovery times.

What This Means for You as a Patient

At the Calgary clinics where I practice — Country Hills Medicentres and Mount Royal Medicentres — I’m proud to be part of a model that embraces forward-thinking values. While I don’t control the building’s engineering systems directly, I contribute by:

• Reducing paper use through digital medical records
  
• Limiting unnecessary visits with comprehensive, one-stop care plans
  
• Supporting community health through preventive care
  

Caring for your health means seeing the bigger picture — and environmental sustainability is part of that picture. Whether you visit for a checkup, chronic condition, or pediatric care, you’re part of a clinic experience that aims to do better for our shared future.

This blog is based on my recent peer-reviewed publications in leading academic journals focused on healthcare innovation, sustainability, and systems leadership. As a Calgary-based family doctor, I’m committed to building a healthier world — one visit, one clinic, one sustainable step at a time.

Interested in care that puts your health — and the planet — first?
I’m currently accepting new patients at both Country Hills and Mount Royal Medicentres. Book a meet-and-greet appointment and let’s work together toward a healthier future for you and your family.

Reference

Dion, H., Evans, M., and Farrell, P. (2023). “Hospitals management transformative initiatives; towards energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in healthcare facilities.” Journal of Engineering Design and Technology, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 552–584.
DOI: 10.1108/JEDT-04-2022-0200