Spring 2024 Fellows
For the Spring 2024 semester, our two selected CHI Research Fellows will be supporting the GW Hospital Sustainability Committee on sustainability efforts at the GW hospital. Possible project avenues include conducting a payback analysis on replacing the current fluid management system in operating rooms (ORs), and the development of a second project for similar analysis as directed by the Committee. A project overview will be updated here as work progresses through the semester.
The GW Hospital Sustainability Committee envisions a healthier, more sustainable environment for patients, colleagues and future generations, with an overall objective to coordinate efforts at GW Hospital around minimizing unnecessary waste and improving energy efficiency. The committee includes representation from across the hospital, including EVS, Facilities, Food Service, Supply Chain, Operational Excellence, Perioperative Care, Inpatient Care, Nursing, and Marketing, whose overall goals are to:
- Assess current energy usage and waste management to identify potential areas for improvement,
- Expand use of sustainable practices that decrease unnecessary healthcare waste and lower the carbon footprint of the hospital; and
- Measure and monitor progress toward established sustainability goals.
Alia Badawi
About Alia: Alia Badawi is a third year medical student at GW SHMS who previously worked in education. She is interested in improving environmental stewardship in the healthcare industry by optimizing supply chains, promoting healthier building standards, and increasing climate health education in the medical community. She serves on the e-board of Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, a national interest group working to centralize climate health efforts at different training institutions where she co-chairs the Climate-Smart Healthcare subcommittee. Related projects include contributing to monthly newsletters from UCSF highlighting climate change’s impact on human health, collaborating on developing national medical school modules on the effects of health care on inflammatory dermatologic conditions (Climate Resources for Health Education), and served as a Climate Health Ambassador for Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Silvana Barbosa
About Silvana: Silvana is a second year graduate student at GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health and has focused her coursework on the intersection of climate and health policy. Silvana is a congressional and political affairs professional and has extensive experience working alongside physicians to advance various health policy initiatives, including sustainability efforts. Silvana strives to utilize her legislative and mobilization skills to push for instrumental changes in climate action efforts, with a special focus on environmental justice and equity.