Joined by colleagues from Flinders Rural and Remote Health NT, Dr. Mark de Souza stood humbly at Government House on Monday, 27 May 2024, to receive the NT Landcare award. This meaningful recognition celebrates Dr. Mark’s outstanding contributions to the community through the Royal Darwin Hospital Greening Project.

Recognising his commitment to environmental sustainability within the healthcare sector, Dr. de Souza was also presented with the Australian Government Climate Innovation Award. This accolade highlights his dedication and innovative approach in tackling climate challenges, underscoring his role as Chair of the Sustainable Healthcare Committee for Top End Health Regional Service, as well as a Senior Specialist in Emergency Medicine at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) and Palmerston Regional Hospitals, and a Flinders University affiliate.

At RDH, Dr. de Souza leads a volunteer-driven effort to green the hospital campus, working closely with the community to enhance aesthetics and promote environmental stewardship. By incorporating Indigenous perspectives into site and plant species selection, he ensures that the project respects and honors local traditions while also delivering tangible benefits, including cooling impacts and increased biodiversity.

Some seeds of this transformative project were sown in 2022 when Flinders Rural and Remote Health NT and Rotary collaborated to establish a bush healing medicine garden. Today, the project stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives. Dr. de Souza has noted ‘its positive impact on both the hospital environment and the well-being of patients and staff alike.’

Find out more about the H3 project “Healthy Patients, Workforce and Environment: Coupling Climate Adaptation and Mitigation to Wellbeing in Healthcare” publication in the international Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.