West Kendall Baptist Hospital Awarded LEED Gold Green Building Certification

First Acute-Care Hospital to Achieve This Distinction

MIAMI- (BUSINESS WIRE) - West Kendall Baptist Hospital announced today that it received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

With the help of our talented and innovative architects and Baptist Health construction management team, we are not only bringing the latest in medical technology to our facility, but are also demonstrating our dedication and commitment to environmental sustainability," stated Javier Hernandez-Lichtl, chief executive officer of West Kendall Baptist Hospital and chief academic officer of Baptist Health.

As a leader in environmental best practices, Miami's new state-of-the-art hospital achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as for incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the community at large.

"The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the USGBC. "The work of innovative building projects such as West Kendall Baptist Hospital is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement."

LEED certification of West Kendall Baptist Hospital was based on a number of green design and construction features including:

• Built on a rehabilitated brownfield site (formerly agricultural land)
• White roofing products used to reduce heat island effect
• Implemented a construction pollution control plan per EPA guidelines
• Construction debris was recycled
• All wood products used in construction were certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
• Regional materials used in construction of facility when possible
• Selected low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet systems and composite wood and agrifiber materials
• Selected green furniture made from high-recycled content
• Hospital is a tobacco-free site
• Hospital is located near new mass transit hub
• Bicycle storage and changing rooms with showers available for employees
• Preferential parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
• EV charging station made available for electric vehicles
• Site designed to maximize open space throughout facility and integrate natural daylight wherever available
• Specific measures taken to control storm water runoff to avoid soil erosion
• Eliminated potable water usage for landscaping through xeriscaping and other efficiency initiatives
• Hospital uses 20 percent less water compared to those of similar size and usage
• Implemented water conservation strategies including the installation of dual-flush toilets
• Hospital is using no CFC-based refrigerants
• Implemented full, single stream recycling program
• Energy-saving measures are implemented throughout the facility
• High-efficiency chillers
• High-efficiency air handlers
• High-efficiency T5 fluorescent lighting with electronic blasts
• High-impact windows with high reflectivity to aid with cooling
• Occupancy sensors
• Invested in green power via renewable energy credits
• Energy management system used to regulate airflow in non-patient areas
• User comfort enhanced with additional thermal and lighting controls
• Green cleaning products utilized in all areas of hospital

About West Kendall Baptist Hospital
The newest member of the non-for-profit Baptist Health South Florida system, West Kendall Baptist Hospital is a $220 million, patient- and family-centered facility serving one of South Florida's most vibrant, youthful and fast-growing communities. Beginning in 2013, the hospital will be home to an accredited family practice residency program through its affiliation with Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. To learn more, visit WestKendallBaptistHospital.com.

About West Kendall Baptist Hospital
West Kendall Baptist Hospital is the first brand new hospital built in Miami-Dade County in more than 35 years. It is part of the not-for-profit Baptist Health South Florida.

The hospital was designed to be able to grow with the needs of the community. Located on a 30-acre property in the Kendall Town Center, at SW 162nd Avenue and 96th Street, the four-story, 282,000-square-foot facility accommodates 133 licensed acute care inpatient beds and private patient rooms, and expects to receive 40,000 emergency room visits annually.

Besides our world-class maternity services, the new hospital offers surgical services in four operating rooms, diagnostic and imaging, and endoscopic suites. There is also a 62,000-square-foot building adjacent to the hospital for doctors' offices.

About West Kendall Baptist Hospital Environmental Sustainability (http://www.westkendallbaptisthospital.com/environment-sustainability/)

About Baptist Health
Baptist Health, the region's largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization, has more than 15,000 employees and is the area's largest private employer. Baptist Health includes Baptist, Baptist Children's, Doctors, Homestead, Mariners and South Miami Hospitals as well as Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Baptist Outpatient Services and Baptist Health Enterprises. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization's fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities affiliated with Baptist Health.

About U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, nearly 16,000 member companies and organizations, and nearly 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39 percent of CO2 emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption, 13 percent of water consumption and 15 percent of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85 percent of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Nearly 40,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising nearly eight billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries. In addition, more than 11,000 homes have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, with more than 52,000 homes registered.

By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

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