Taking care of our environment should be just as a much a priority as taking care of ourselves. That is why I have always held my practice to the highest standards when it comes to the environmental footprint it leaves with our day-to-day operations.
When I built our concept office in Studio City, I made sure that every detail was looked at, and improved, to reduce it’s environmental impact. We documented this process and I named it the Environmentally Proactive Practice (EPP). This algorithm would serve as a the blueprint for other doctors to modernize their practices and reduce their waste and effect on our planet.
It is important to clarify that taking care of the environment does not require a compromise in luxury. That has and always will be the premise of my practice. Our patients deserve the best that medicine and technology has to offer, without the guilt of participating in the irresponsible littering of the eco-sphere That is why we invested thousands of dollars and took our entire computer system off the grid with solar panels.
Our New Patient Courtesy Transport 2009 Biodiesel Mercedes-Benz R320
And, for the next step, it gives me great pleasure to introduce a new concept and service I have implemented to improve the quality of care, and experience our patients receive… the Biodiesel Luxury Patient Limo Service.
This service is a first in medicine and in luxury transportation. In early November 2009, all of our surgical patients will be picked up and taken home from their surgery by our in-house Mercedes Benz R320 BlueTec Diesel. This is no ordinary diesel however. We all remember diesel cars as being smelly, noisy and slow. BlueTec technology has changed all that.
As many of us know, diesel engines are more fuel efficient, and provide more miles per gallon (MPG) than standard gasoline engines. More miles on one take of gas, means less emissions into our atmosphere. But, Mercedes BlueTec technology has taken it one step further. BlueTec is the name Mercedes Benz has given their new clean Diesel engines. This system removes Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from the exhaust before they are released into our air. In the presence of sunlight, NOx molecules react with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to create smog. Children, people with lung diseases such as asthma, and people who work or exercise outside are susceptible to adverse effects of smog such as damage to lung tissue and reduction in lung function. From the manufacturer, this car is one of the greenest cars on the road; reduced emissions via fuel efficiency and the clean exhaust system.
BlueTec Techonolgy means 700 miles on 1 tank of fuel
But for us, that still wasn’t good enough…
Our car runs on biodiesel. Biodiesel is diesel fuel made from organic oil (vegetable oil). When made correctly (not using fossil-fuels, rather pre-used organic oils instead) biodiesel is the cleanest and greenest fuel available. What this means is Biodiesel can be made with oils obtained from vegetables, algae, or even coffee.
As we begin, we will use one of three local biodiesel stations to fuel our car, but in the near future we will have out own biodiesel refinement unit and will be able to make our own biodiesel from waste vegetable oil that is donated from local restaurants.
This model eliminates 75% of the footprint involved in procuring, refining, transporting and selling fuel. It also eliminates our dependancy on oil since the base ingredient in our fuel is used vegetable oil which is currently taken away and disposed of after use by almost every restaurant in Los Angeles.
Luxurious, Green and Safe.
Our car is clean, green and luxurious. The R class is a low slung hybrid sedan. It’s a cross between an SUV and a sedan, providing our patients with plenty of room to stretch and relax after their surgical experience. Built in WiFi will provide you with access to the internet on the go, so that our professional, or out-of-state patients can connect and conduct their internet sensitive tasks. Our cars will be outfitted with the finest amenities and filtered water in Kleen Kanteen flasks that are available for purchase so that you can have your own BPA free reusable water bottle. Locally made organic treats made by Ingredients™ will nourish you on your trip back from your surgery.
But environmentally sensitive luxury is meaningless if safety is compromised. That is why we chose Mercedes Benz, a well known car company with an impeccable track record of building the safest cars on the road. All of our drivers are CPR certified and every car will have an on board AED (Automated Electronic Defibrillator) in case of an unexpected emergency.
I am confident that this new service that we provide to all of our surgical patients will raise the bar in medicine and pamper you with another responsible yet luxurious service from Beverly Hills Aesthetic Foot Surgery.
* a special thank you to Chris Chong and George Bik at Mercedes Benz of Encino. These fine gentlemen help procure the first in our fleet of Biodiesel Patient Transport Limos.
