CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) Carol Gomes recently joined business leader and strategic social impact expert Joan Bryna Michelson on the Electric Ladies Podcast to explore how a major 24/7 healthcare institution is advancing sustainability while continuing to deliver top‑tier patient care. In this episode, Gomes discusses the Stony Brook University Hospital’s various initiatives to reduce energy and water consumption, cut CO₂ emissions and manage both standard and hazardous waste all while taking care to ensure that the quality of care that SBUH is renowned for remains uncompromised. The hospital’s culture has been central to making progress, with Gomes noting that the real momentum comes from “people wishing to volunteer for initiatives rather than assignment of duties,” emphasizing staff serving as sustainability champions is crucial in educating peers and helping drive meaningful, unit‑level change.
Carol Gomes
In the conversation, Gomes also reflects on the deeper lessons behind this work and her role as a woman in leadership. She highlights how empowering and engaging people through structured committees, unit‑based champions or even friendly contests “breed excitement about sustainability” and strengthen a workplace culture where all individuals feel part of the process. Beyond sustainability, Gomes embodies leadership through encouraging all professionals, but especially women, to trust their voice, challenge their comfort zones and build authentic relationships through networking and mentorship. Through this inspiring episode, Carol Gomes offers a compelling look at how systems like Stony Brook University Hospital are navigating climate challenges and what other industries can learn from their inclusive and enthusiastic approach to change.
