Green Buildings / Operations & Maintenance / Transportation

Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas (DSMCUT), part of Ascension Texas, opened in May 2017. Green Design and Construction methods were implemented to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Building Design & Construction (BD+C) 2009 for Healthcare Gold certification and 4-Star Austin Energy Green Building rating. This is the third LEED certification for Ascension Texas, after Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas earned two LEED Platinum certifications. The design and construction team collaborated with the University of Texas at Austin to deliver a hospital project that anchors a new healthcare innovation zone in downtown Austin with a primary focus on sustainability.

Ascension was the first healthcare system to form a partnership with Lyft. Since February 2017, Ascension has put agreements in place in 21 of its markets, and Lyft has provided more than 8,000 rides. Chris Young, Vice President, Innovation and New Virtual Market Development, Ascension, said we pay for or subsidize the service for “existing patients of an Ascension ministry who have a need for discounted or free transportation to obtain nonemergency, medically necessary services.” Ascension associates use Lyft’s concierge platform to schedule the rides.

Seton Healthcare Family, part of Ascension Texas, participates in the City of Austin's 20/20 Mobility Program, which challenges large employers to reduce commuter vehicle miles traveled and automobile emissions by implementing alternative transportation commuting programs.