St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, College Station Hospital Awarded 2023 Clean Air Award from National Air Filtration Association

Bryan, TX, November 30, 2023— St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan, Texas, and St. Joseph Health College Station Hospital in College Station, Texas, recently received the 2023 Clean Air Awards from the National Air Filtration Association. The Clean Air Award is presented each year to the building owners and managers who take steps to significantly improve indoor air quality by increasing the level or efficiency of their HVAC air filtration system in 10 specific categories. Regional and College Station Hospitals are the only facilities in the Brazos Valley to receive this prestigious recognition. 

To qualify for nomination, both campuses worked closely with NAFA-Certified Technician and Certified Air Filtration Specialist Mollie Maldonado of The Filtration Man LLC, an industry leader in providing organizations with training, education and support for all air filtration initiatives. Over the course of several years, Resty Villegas, Director of Facilities Management for Regional Hospital, and Jeff Spengler, Director of Facilities Management for College Station Hospital, and their teams worked hand-in-hand with Ms. Maldonado to ensure proper practices and equipment were in place to improve, maintain that improved air quality and increase the efficiency of HVAC systems in their respective facilities. 

St. Joseph Health Regional and College Station Hospitals were nominated for the award by Ms. Maldonado, who submitted detailed and specific steps taken toward cleaning the indoor environment through “best air filtration practices” and system hygiene. 

“The impact of what these teams have done is huge for patients, visitors and staff at these facilities. Better air quality means less potential for those in our facilities to suffer from respiratory disorders or to be exposed to air pollutants,” said Kim Shaw, Market President and CEO of St. Joseph Health. “In addition, proper maintenance of all HVAC systems is crucial in being a good steward to our environment.” 

Award-winning buildings must maintain IAQ diligence and submit inspection data each year to maintain the NAFA Clean Air Award. 

About NAFA: The National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) is a nonprofit trade association whose members include air filter and component manufacturers, sales and service companies, and HVAC and indoor air quality professionals across the United States and in several foreign countries. NAFA is comprised of individuals and companies engaged in the sale, service, and manufacture of the air filtration products. 

About St. Joseph Health: St. Joseph Health is a member of St. Luke’s Health and part of CommonSpirit Health, the largest Catholic health system and the second-largest nonprofit hospital chain in the United States. Since 1936, St. Joseph Health has been the Brazos Valley’s leader in providing high-quality, patient-centered health care. Our expansive network encompasses five hospitals, including St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan, College Station Hospital, Madison Hospital, Grimes Hospital, and Burleson Hospital; two long term care facilities; an assisted living facility and multiple clinics. Regional Hospital is the highest-level trauma center in the Brazos Valley, ready to provide the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art trauma services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. St. Joseph Health was the region’s first air medical service and the first in the region to be accredited as a Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center. St. Joseph Health is an academic and clinical partner of Texas A&M Health Science Center, working together St. Joseph Health and the Texas A&M Health Network employ over 100 primary care physicians, specialists and advanced practice clinicians. To learn more, visit St-Joseph.org. 

[For more information, please contact Communications Manager, Tracy Bates at 713-962-9347 or [email protected].]