No images? Click here
October 27, 2025
News and Updates
SHE Center programming presented at 2025 Planetary Health Annual Meeting
Christa Wagner, PhD, Director of the MCW Center for Sustainability, Health, and the Environment, recently presented outcomes from the Center’s first two years at the 2025 Planetary Health Annual Meeting. Hosted by Erasmus University and the Planetary Health Alliance, this global gathering brought together hundreds of scientists, clinicians, educators, Indigenous advocates, policymakers and innovators to address urgent environmental health challenges under the theme “Planetary Health for All and In All: Boosting Urgency and Agency for Systems Change.”
Dr. Wagner presented two posters highlighting collaborative work across the MCW campus, and details of medical school curriculum development, primarily funded by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment. These projects focus on campus and local community-driven strategies to improve environmental and public health across Wisconsin. Her contributions helped elevate Wisconsin’s role in the global planetary health movement and fostered new connections for future interdisciplinary collaboration. In between international convenings, the Planetary Health Alliance hosts a North America Regional Hub – learn more and join here.
Dr. Wagner with one of the two accepted posters on SHE Center activities
Wisconsin DNR visits to evaluate tree health, provide measurement guidance
On September 30, two Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Urban Forestry Division representatives visited the MCW-Milwaukee campus almond trees on the north side of Watertown Plank Road to assess health and growth since the trees were planted in fall 2024. Click here to see how much the trees have grown since our last update! Only one tree out of 40 did not survive the winter, better than the average ~7% mortality rate in the first years after planting. All living trees had <10% die-back on their branches, with only minor damage to their bark and leaves, categorizing them all as being in very good health. The DNR representatives provided guidance on how best to monitor and care for the trees as they continue growing. The grove was planted to investigate a less environmentally intensive model for almond production, as annual average temperatures continue warming in Wisconsin. When you have time, feel free to take a stroll through the garden to take advantage of the mental and physical health benefits of time spent in green spaces!
If you are a student interested in volunteering to help with regular tree maintenance, please email SHECenter@mcw.edu.
The almond grove, green after thriving for one year in Wisconsin
MRMC seeks commuter feedback
The Milwaukee Regional Medical Center is hosting its annual Commuter Choice Survey through its Ride Guide program to learn more about how campus community members travel to work. This information will help Ride Guide to understand commuting patterns and identify opportunities to improve travel choices in our community. Participants who complete the survey will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card! The survey is live through October 31. Please follow this link to complete the survey.
Upcoming Events
Pathways to Net Zero in Healthcare, November 5, 11am-4pm
On November 5, from 11am-4pm, Mass General Brigham will host a virtual course titled “Pathways to Net Zero.” The goal of the course is to provide healthcare workers across roles and departments with the skills and resources to shift hospital operations toward net zero. Outcomes of the course include quantifying the environmental impact of health care and discussing the ways both clinical and non-clinical pathways can mitigate healthcare greenhouse gas emissions. For more information and to register, click here.
Climate and Health Learning Collaborative, November 10, 2-3:30pm
The National Academy of Medicine and Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education will co-host their next Climate and Health Learning Collaborative: Regional Webinar Series on Monday, November 10, from 2:00-3:30 PM CT. This free, public event will share innovative climate and health resources from the Midwest US region with a through line of prevention, mitigation, resiliency, and recovery. Join the conversation to build capacity to target climate and health concerns in your region alongside fellow health professionals, communities, and other local experts. Please use this link to register.
Weathering the Storm, Courage in Caring for our Communities & Climate, November 14-15
Healthy Climate Wisconsin, a coalition of health professionals working for climate action, will host its annual conference on November 14 and 15, this year titled “Weathering the Storm, Courage in Caring for our Communities & Climate.” The conference will feature workshops and discussions around components of healthcare delivery including the effects of climate change on health and the need for clean air and water. More details and registration here.
On Our Radar: Research, Podcasts, and More
Funding Opportunities
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants:
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is accepting applications for grants of $2,500-$50,000 focused on climate change and human health, with rolling deadlines starting Jan. 23, 2025 and extending through July 24, 2026. The Fund plans to dedicate $1 million during that time to projects that pilot ways to reduce healthcare’s climate impact, explore connections between basic science approaches and planetary health, and prepare for climate-related natural disasters. For more information, review the grant details on the Fund website.
Resources & More
MCW is a member of several consortia and membership organizations with different resources to support engagement in climate action in academic medicine. Contact us for any assistance in signing up!
Global Consortium for Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) aims to unite health professional training institutions, health societies, and regional health organizations to create a global climate-ready health sector, prepared to mobilize and lead health promotion and response in the era of climate change, while restoring the health of the planet. Learn more and join here.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Climate Action Virtual Community provides meaningful connection to the myriad people in academic medical centers working across mission areas to address the climate crisis and improve institutional resiliency. Request an account using your MCW email address here. Once your account has been approved, click here to join the Climate Action and Sustainability group.
Practice Greenhealth is the health care sector’s go-to source for information, tools, data, resources, and expert technical support on sustainability initiatives that help hospitals and health systems meet their health, financial, and community goals. Learn more.
Interested in learning more about the SHE Center at an upcoming MCW departmental, institute, or center faculty and/or staff meeting? Email Dr. Wagner to schedule.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign-up here.
Questions, comments, or content to share? Send it our way: SHECenter@mcw.edu
Connect to the SHE Center on Social!
Medical College of Wisconsin | 8701 Watertown Plank Road | Milwaukee, WI 53226
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SHE Center Notes.
© 2025 Medical College of Wisconsin. All rights reserved.
