Championing Nursing and Planetary Health: Kevin Hare
As part of a series celebrating last year’s Nursing Awards recipients, we’re sharing stories that highlight the inspiring achievements and impact of nurses and nurse practitioners across BC.
As a recipient of the Planetary Health Award, Kevin demonstrated excellence through his contributions in leading BC Cancer operations across the province and as the co-chair of the BC Cancer Planetary Health Unit (BCCPHU). Through these positions, he’s acutely aware of the environmental impact that the healthcare industry has. Leveraging his unique perspective as a Registered Nurse in a senior leadership position, Kevin charts a transformative path forward, enacting initiatives that support delivering world class care that has climate-resilient, sustainable and systemic impacts.
“Thank you for the opportunity to share my story as part of the Nursing Awards of Excellence feature. I was deeply honored to receive the 2024 Planetary Health Award, and I am pleased to contribute to highlighting the incredible work nurses are doing across BC.” Kevin stated in our interview with him.
He mentions his inspiration to pursue the work that led to this award was grounded by his belief that nurses are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful environmental change as a part of healthcare delivery. Kevin identified that in cancer care, where the scale of the operations is significant, there is an enormous opportunity to reduce the environmental footprint without compromising quality or safety. This ensures that not just today’s patients are cared for, but also future generations.
Centering Environmental Sustainability
Whether through energy-efficient facility upgrades, waste reduction programs or integrating planetary health considerations into operational decision-making, Kevin spearheads initiatives that have brought environmental sustainability into the everyday conversations of healthcare delivery. However, one of the greatest challenges in enacting these changes was shifting mindsets and helping teams see that environmental initiatives are not peripheral “extras” but central to health outcomes.
Kevin overcame this by connecting sustainability to the core mission of patient care and demonstrating tangible benefits, from operational cost savings to improved workplace culture. This demonstrates that environmental stewardship and high-quality patient care are parallel, complementary goals, and highlights the critical link between patient outcomes and planetary health. This evidence helps motivate and inspire both colleagues and partner organizations to implement lasting changes.
Inspired by the next generation of nurses—innovative, globally aware, and deeply committed to equity and sustainability, Kevin says they help remind him that the nursing profession will continue to evolve to meet the world’s needs with compassion and courage.
Mentorship and Collaboration
Mentorship is also central to Kevin’s approach. Sustainable change in healthcare requires diverse perspectives and strong relationships, which for Kevin, includes mentors who challenged him to think bigger. He strives to pass the mindset onto others, fostering teams where collaboration is the default, not the exception.
“Never underestimate the influence you have as a nurse to spark change.” Kevin advises. “Whether at the bedside, in an executive boardroom or in community outreach, your voice carries the lived truth of patient care. Use it to connect ideas, people and action.”
Programmatic Implementation
Kevin also created the Nursing Planetary Health Internship Program at BC Cancer. The idea is simple, nurses step out of the line of rotation for 12 weeks, giving them dedicated time, space and resources to focus on projects that improve planetary health within BC Cancer. Nurses are often juggling overwhelming demands and having this protected time to focus highlights Kevin’s belief that nurses are at the core of driving systemic change in patient care.
Projects implemented have included eliminating plastic bags for chemotherapy distribution, developing a re-usable sharps container and implementing a food waste recycling program. These initiatives highlight the compelling link between planetary health and patient outcomes. Creating a better environment decreases the risk and burden of cancer, creating stronger, healthier communities, which ultimately moves sustainability from an abstract idea to a concrete, daily practice embedded in the delivery of cancer care in BC.
The impact of this program has also reached well beyond BC. Kevin’s forward-thinking demonstration of what the future of health care looks like has caught the attention of health organizations across the country, with many interested in the design of the internship program and how to integrate climate-resilient practices into their own operations. The program is unique as it was created by nurses, for nurses, to empower nurses and leverages the collective strength of the nursing profession.
All this was reaffirmed when a frontline nurse told Kevin that the sustainability initiatives he helped implement made them feel proud to work at BC Cancer because it showed they cared about “the health of the planet, not just the patient in front of us.” It was clear to him that even small changes can have a powerful impact on morale and drive that cultural, mindset shift. His work isn’t just reshaping operations, but redefining patient care to also include planetary health. It’s clear that at both micro and macro levels, Kevin is redefining what it means to deliver world class patient care.
About Kevin Hare
Kevin Hare, MBA BSN RN
Senior Executive Director of Operations for BC Cancer
Kevin is a champion in integrating environmental stewardship into cancer care. Drawing on his background as a healthcare professional, he created the Nursing Planetary Health Internship Program at BC Cancer, which gives nurses designated time to develop and implement climate-friendly initiatives. Under his leadership, practical, high-impact changes have been introduced at scale. His work has gained national attention and allowed him to help build a more sustainable, climate-resilient healthcare system.
About the 2026 Nursing Awards
Nominations for the 2026 Nursing Awards are now open! Let’s celebrate the many achievements of nursing professionals and the impact these contributions have on patient health and wellness. Nurses and nurse practitioners of all four designations are eligible for all awards and may self-nominate or be nominated by anyone.
