10 Ways to Celebrate EVS Professionals During Environmental Services Week
Every hospital relies on a foundation of people to function. For most patients and families, the work of environmental services (EVS) teams happens quietly in the background. But for those leading hospitals, their impact is unmistakable. Clean patient rooms, sanitized hallways, safe waste management, infection prevention – these are responsibilities that allow care to happen.
Dedicated EVS personnel contribute directly to patient outcomes, staff safety, operational readiness, and overall hospital performance. Their work touches every department, shift, and surface.
Environmental Services Week, observed September 14–20 this year, provides a timely opportunity to celebrate members of your EVS team. The question for many leaders at healthcare facilities is how to honor the hands that help keep hospitals safe.
That’s why we’ve created this round-up of 10 ways to celebrate EVS professionals. Each idea is meant to strengthen culture, improve team engagement, and foster genuine recognition of staff members.
1. Invite the Entire Hospital to Sign a Large-Format Card
Place a large poster board or banner in a central location a week before Environmental Services Week begins. Invite staff from every department to write notes of appreciation for the dedicated staff. You can also give them the option to share a brief story about how the EVS team has made a difference.
When all is said and done, present the card during a team meeting or recognition event. This visible gesture underscores that gratitude for EVS work is shared across the entire hospital.
2. Host a Lunch and Learn Centered on the EVS Department
Consider organizing a lunch and learn session where members of the EVS team present their work to other staff members and answer questions. Topics might include disinfection protocols, biohazard handling, sustainability efforts, or emerging technologies in environmental services.
This creates a space for cross-departmental education while also elevating the EVS team’s voice. It also reinforces the value of their knowledge and role in hospital-wide performance.
3. Establish a Formal Awards Program for EVS Staff
Create a set of award categories tailored to the EVS team, such as “Excellence in Safety,” “Reliability in Action,” or “Mentorship Award.” Solicit nominations from peers, nursing staff, and department leaders.
Hold a brief awards ceremony during Environmental Services Week and include photos or features of the recipients in your internal communications. Formal acknowledgment tied to clearly defined criteria can increase morale and retention.
4. Include EVS Team Members in Communications and Social Media
Use internal newsletters, your intranet, or digital signage to feature EVS staff throughout the week. A short profile of a team member, including their contributions and what motivates them, adds visibility and dignity to their work.
Public-facing posts on hospital social media accounts can also provide a look behind the scenes. You might even consider allowing a member of the EVS team to “take over” the account for a day to share what a typical shift looks like.
5. Create a Public Thank You Wall for Patients and Visitors
Set up a thank you wall in a visible area such as the main lobby, cafeteria, or patient waiting room. Provide markers, sticky notes, and signage inviting patients, families, and staff to share messages of appreciation.
These messages offer a direct and often emotional reflection of the EVS team’s impact. They also help connect hospital cleanliness and safety with the patient experience in a tangible way.
6. Build a “Hall of EVS Heroes” Display
Designate a wall or corridor and feature framed photos and bios of each EVS team member. Include years of service, notable contributions, or a quote that reflects their approach to the work.
This type of display supports long-term recognition and creates a sense of pride and belonging. Other departments can learn more about who EVS team members are, not just what they do.
7. Partner with Local Businesses to Offer Discounts or Perks
Reach out to neighborhood restaurants, coffee shops, or retail stores to see if they would provide a discount or free item for EVS staff during the week. Many local businesses are eager to support healthcare workers and will participate with a simple ask.
Compile the offers into a flyer or digital handout and distribute it to the team. These small perks can add an extra layer of celebration and show community support.
8. Ask Hospital Leadership to Personally Deliver Treats
Organize a mobile snack or coffee cart that visits different departments throughout the week. When possible, have members of the leadership team accompany it and personally thank EVS staff as they deliver refreshments.
The presence of senior leaders—not just the treats themselves—sends a strong message of respect and appreciation. These face-to-face interactions often leave a lasting impression.
9. Use Free Downloadable Resources to Build Awareness
Honoring your EVS team doesn’t require starting from scratch. The WasteMedX EVS Week Toolkit includes free, pre-designed posters, social media templates, and more. These materials make it easy to create a consistent message of gratitude across physical and digital spaces.
Printed posters can be placed in breakrooms, staff lounges, or entrances to reinforce acknowledgment throughout the facility. Meanwhile, the social media templates offer a simple way to spotlight your team publicly, share their stories, and extend the celebration beyond the hospital walls.
10. Extend the Spirit Beyond EVS Week
While Environmental Services Week provides a focused opportunity for appreciation, the principles behind it should carry forward throughout the year. Consider incorporating EVS stories into onboarding for new hires, highlighting team members during staff huddles, or establishing quarterly recognition moments.
When celebration becomes part of the hospital culture, teams feel more engaged, connected, and supported.
Standing with EVS Teams, This Week and Every Week
At WasteMedX, we support hospitals through smarter, safer medical waste disposal. In doing so, we see firsthand the critical role EVS teams play in creating safe spaces for patients to receive care.
Their work is foundational to hospital operations, touching everything from infection prevention to patient experience. We’re proud to honor their impact during EVS Week and year-round.
To leaders at healthcare facilities across the country, making space to recognize these teams: thank you. Your commitment elevates the essential work of EVS professionals and strengthens care environments for all.
