Award recognizes leadership driving innovation in healthcare sustainability and emissions reduction
RENTON, Wash. [May 14, 2026] — Brian Chesebro, M.D., medical director of environmental stewardship at Providence, received the 2026 Visionary Changemaker award today at CleanMed, a national conference for leaders in healthcare sustainability. The award, given by Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm, is for trailblazing leaders who are driving transformation and innovation in the climate-smart healthcare movement.
"It is an honor to be recognized by Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm for our work at Providence to create a healthcare system that benefits our patients and protects our planet,” Dr. Chesebro said. “This award is a testament to the dedication of our entire environmental stewardship team, who are steadfast in driving focused innovation for positive change.”
A standout achievement by Dr. Chesebro is his landmark research on the environmental toll of commonly used inhalers and development of an innovative tool that makes their chemical and emission impacts easier to compare. The tool translates complex data on greenhouse gases used in metered‑dose inhalers into practical information, allowing clinicians to consider safety, effectiveness, cost and patient needs in their usage.
The comparison tool is publicly available through the Providence Center for Environmental Stewardship’s Toolkits and Resources page as part of the organization’s WE SHARE initiative.
Dr. Chesebro’s leadership and expertise has helped Providence make notable progress in chemical reduction and commitment toward carbon negative by 2030. Since 2019, Providence has reduced carbon emissions by 27 percent, volatile anesthetic gases by 75 percent and nitrous oxide emissions by 90 percent.
“Dr. Chesebro is a key leader in achieving Providence’s vision of Health for a Better World,” said Beth Schenk, chief environmental stewardship officer at Providence. “It is wonderful to see his efforts and impact amplified through this award, and we’re grateful to Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm for that acknowledgement. I look forward to Dr. Chesebro’s continued leadership to help Providence steward positive change in healthcare.”
Visit the Providence Center for Environmental Stewardship for more information about Providence’s commitment toward carbon negative.
