From Left:  Jeff Lyons, Johnson Controls; Dennis Vonderfecht, MSHA President and CEO; Mike Coley, Johnson Controls; and MSHA team members Mark Moody, Bill Alton and Tony Benton stand with the BELL Award from Johnson Controls.

Mountain States Health Alliance has been awarded the Building Efficiency Local Leadership (BELL) Award by Johnson Controls for the healthcare system's innovation and success in sustainable facility upgrades. Mountain States is the first healthcare organization in the nation to receive the award.

"Mountain States Health Alliance was selected as an award winner because of its commitment to energy efficiency and delivery of excellence in the healthcare environment for its patients, staff and visitors," said Mike Coley, regional general manager for Johnson Controls. "The Bell Award is given to organizations making a difference through energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts in their communities."

Under an energy savings performance contract, Johnson Controls has helped Mountain States save $655,000 annually over the past 10 years in utility costs through facility enhancements. Highlights include:  

• Lighting retrofits and mechanical equipment upgrades
• Water conservation measures
• Streamlined waste management practices
• Expansion of the existing building management system
• Management and construction of a new intensive care unit
• Installation of a wireless distribution system

As a result of these improvements, Mountain States is more effectively monitoring each facility's performance, improving its environmental impact and realizing cost savings.

About Mountain States Health Alliance

Mountain States Health Alliance, a not-for-profit healthcare organization based in Johnson City, Tenn., operates a family of hospitals serving a 29-county, four-state region (Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Southeastern Kentucky and Western North Carolina). Mountain States offers a large tertiary hospital, several community hospitals, two critical access hospitals, rehabilitation, a children's hospital, a behavioral health hospital, home care and hospice services as well as a comprehensive medical management corporation. Its 10,000 team members and associated physicians are committed to its mission of bringing loving care to health care. For more information, visit www.msha.com.