Roots of Sustainable Impact
Welcome to "Roots of Sustainable Impact," the weekly show where leaders of Greentech and organizations in the climate-critical space gain practical strategies and insights to build thriving, adaptable businesses from the inside out.
Join us every week for in-depth 1-on-1 interviews as we go behind the scenes to uncover how organizations with a positive impact operate and scale. We explore how to set the stage for sustainable growth by implementing the right systems, staff, processes, and partners.
Whether you're a founder or a leader, this podcast equips you with the knowledge to grow your enterprise and amplify your impact.
Roots of Sustainable Impact
Reimagining Healthcare: Sustainability, Waste Reduction & Resilience with Dr. Cassandra Thiel
In this episode, we’re diving into an issue that’s often overlooked but has a massive impact—sustainability in healthcare.
I’m joined by Dr. Cassandra Thiel, an assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and founder of Clinically Sustainable Consulting. Cassie brings a fascinating perspective to this conversation, blending her background in engineering with her research on the environmental footprint of healthcare systems. We get into the nitty-gritty of why hospitals generate so much waste, what’s driving those inefficiencies, and—most importantly—how we can change that.
What We Cover in This Episode:
🌿 The environmental impact of healthcare: Why are hospitals so wasteful?
💰 The financial and operational benefits of sustainable healthcare practices
♻️ How life cycle assessments (LCAs) can help hospitals make data-driven sustainability decisions
🏥 Breaking through the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset in healthcare
🔬 The role of manufacturers in creating more sustainable medical devices and supplies
💡 Practical steps healthcare leaders and clinicians can take to reduce waste and emissions
One of the biggest takeaways? Sustainability in healthcare isn’t just about being “green.” It’s about efficiency, cost savings, patient safety, and resilience—especially in a world where supply chain disruptions can put lives at risk.
Cassie shares incredible insights from her work, including how hospitals can move beyond greenwashing, the surprising resistance to change in the industry, and why we need to rethink our approach to disposable medical supplies.
If you’re in healthcare, sustainability, or just curious about the intersection of the two, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
🎧 Listen now, and let’s reimagine a healthcare system that’s healthier for both people and the planet.
📌 Links & Resources:
🔗 Connect with Dr. Cassie Thiel: LinkedIn Profile
🔗 Learn more about Cassie’s work: Clinically Sustainable
🔗 Check out iSustain for sustainable ophthalmology practices: EyeSustain.org
🔗 Explore healthcare sustainability research: Healthcare LCA
🔗 Listen in to Cassie's podcast: So Climatic
💬 Let’s keep the conversation going! What’s one thing that stood out to you in this episode? Drop me a message—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for listening to this episode of Roots of Sustainable Impact!
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