Idaho’s Largest Health Systems Team Up to Educate on the Greatest Risk to Human Health – Climate

Saint Alphonsus and St. Luke’s Health System are partnering for the first Treasure Valley Climate & Health Symposium on Friday, May 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  At the day-long event, attendees will hear from national, regional, and local leaders in the climate space who will address the effects of climate change on mental health and well-being, emerging infections, wildfires, and more.

Speakers will include keynote Bruce Bekkar, a women’s health physician and Climate and Health Fellow at ecoAmerica, Elizabeth Pinsky, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and pediatrician, Dr. Jen Pierce, a Boise State University Geosciences Professor, with remarks from Mayor Lauren McLean.

The event’s founders, Dr. Ethan Sims, an emergency medicine physician and Medical Director of Environmental Sustainability at St. Luke’s Health System and Dr. Wesley Pidcock, Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Intensive Care, are personally and professionally committed to sustainable initiatives in Idaho healthcare.

“This symposium underscores the critical connection between public health and environmental sustainability,” said Dr. Pidcock. “Being able to come together as health systems around a shared mission to educate and foster dialogue around sustainable practices in healthcare is fulfilling and exciting work, and we are driven by its ability to protect and enhance the long-term health of our community.”

Both physicians are involved with the organization Idaho Clinicians for Climate and Health (ICCH), which unites Idaho health professionals through a shared a mission to reduce the impact of climate change on human health through sustainability, innovation, non-partisan knowledge on health impacts, and advancing community resiliency.  Currently, Dr. Sims serves on the board and Dr. Pidcock as a member for ICCH.

“We recognize that health is shaped by far more than just clinical care — it’s influenced by the environments where people live, work and heal,” said Dr. Sims. “Sustainability in health care strives to maximize efficiency, reduce the costs of operation both in dollars and impact on the planet, without compromising the high standards we hold ourselves to for quality patient care. Through this symposium, we are excited to create an opportunity for those who work in health care and beyond to learn, share knowledge, and help shape solutions to protect our environment and, in turn, human health in our communities.”

Event registration is open through Friday, May 9. Continuing Medical Education (CME/CE) credit is also available.

Learn more about the in-person and virtual Treasure Valley Climate & Health Symposium here.