The Washington Township Hospital District was formed in 1948 by a group of public-minded citizens. Washington Hospital opened its doors 10 years later on November 24, 1958, as a district hospital licensed for 150 beds.

In January 1995, the District's name was changed to Washington Township Health Care District to reflect our mission to provide broad healthcare services in addition to hospital-based services. The District is governed by an elected Board of Directors made up of five members who each serve two- or four-year terms.

Today, we are known as Washington Hospital Healthcare System and we serve the residents of Fremont, Newark, Union City, and part of South Hayward and unincorporated Sunol and we encompass approximately 124 square miles of Southern Alameda County. The District's population is approximately 320,000.

Our comprehensive healthcare services include 24-hour emergency care; childbirth and family services; cardiac surgery, catheterization and rehabilitation; nutritional counseling; outpatient surgery; pulmonary function; crisis intervention; respiratory care; rehabilitation services (cardiac, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, stress); social services; laboratory; medical imaging; level II nursery, and hospice care.

Historical Highlights of Washington Township Health Care District

2009

• In August, The Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center moved to a new facility located close to Washington Hospital at 39141 Civic Center Drive, Suite 120, in Fremont. The spacious, 5500 square-foot facility was designed specifically to meet the needs of patients undergoing outpatient orthopedic physical therapy and/or occupational therapy. In addition, the facility provides a wider array of services offered through the new Legacy Strength Training Program.

• In July, The Washington Township Health Care District Board of Directors approved a $100,000 grant to George Mark Children’s House, a pediatric palliative care facility. As the only freestanding pediatric palliative-care facility of its kind in the United States, George Mark Children’s House’s mission is to relieve the suffering associated with chronic, lifespan limiting and end-of-life illnesses by focusing on preserving the dignity and integrity of the child, providing expert pain and symptom management and achieving the best possible quality of life as defined by the child and family.

• In May, Washington Hospital was honored with a "Partner Recognition Award" by Practice Greenhealth, a national membership organization for health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations. The award is one of the organization's Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector.
• In May, Washington Hospital’s Stroke Program received the Silver Performance Achievement Award as part of the American Stroke Association’s (ASA) Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) program, a national evidence-based initiative to improve stroke patients’ outcomes. The ASA program recognizes hospitals across the country whose stroke treatment programs have shown consistent compliance with measures proven to maximize outcomes.

2008

• In November, Washington Hospital Healthcare System began the first phase of several renovation projects that will take place at Washington Hospital over the next several years. The Consolidated Central Plant Project is the first building that will be funded, in part, by Measure FF, a $190 million bond measure approved by voters in November 2004.
• In October, Washington Hospital celebrated its 50th Anniversary by staging an Emergency Preparedness Health Fair. The fair was a great way for children and adults to learn important safety information from fire, public safety and emergency professionals. Highlighting the event was a special birthday dedication to those that were born at the Hospital in the first year that it was open.
• In October, Washington Hospital hosted its first ever Men's Health Fair. More than 225 people took part in the day's activities that included health screenings, interactive health information booths and a panel discussion.
• In August, InHealth, Washington Hospital's cable channel marked its third anniversary by receiving TV honors for two original productions from the 29th Annual Telly Awards. The winning programs, Inside Washington Hospital: Pediatric Care, hosted by Dr. John Thomas Mehigan earned a silver Telly award, and Your Concerns InHealth: Pediatric Care - The Preschool Years, hosted by Dr. Barbara Kostick received a bronze Telly award. The programs were selected as standouts from more than 14,000 entries from around the country.

• In May, Washington Hospital Healthcare System celebrated the grand opening and dedication of the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute. The Institute is named in honor of former Washington Hospital general counsel Taylor McAdam Bell, who lost his courageous battle with brain cancer in 2006.

• In May, More than 2,000 people attended Washington Hospital's first annual "Health Care Grand Slam" sponsored by the Hospital and Cisco Field, the future home of the Oakland A's. Participants had the chance to see the future of medical technology, meet current A's players and receive free health screenings.

• In March, Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation's Community Cultural Event featuring multi-award winning performer Rita Moreno raised more than $10,000 for Washington Hospital's Stroke Response Program.
• In February, the Washington Hospital Service League presented a $60,000 check as a second installment of a $300,000 pledge over the next five years for the Hospital's Critical Care and Emergency Room Building Fund. This pledge marked a significant milestone, helping the Service League push its total donations to the Hospital to more than $2 million dollars.
• In January, Washington Hospital hosted a Community Forum on Health Care Reform. The forums featured some of the leading voices in health care reform. Panelists discussed and debated ideas and proposals for health care reform at the state and national level. Spectators were able to ask questions and participate in all three forum discussions.

2007

• In April, Washington Hospital Healthcare System celebrated the grand opening of the new Washington Women's Center and Outpatient Imaging Center. Located across the street from the main hospital inside Washington West, both centers offer a wide range of high quality diagnostic services and wellness programs all in one convenient location, providing community residents centralized access to top-notch medical care in a comfortable environment.

• In May, To mark the official opening of Washington Hospital's new Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute and the Gamma Knife Program, the hospital hosted the first annual Advances in Neurosciences Symposium. The program was co-sponsored by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and featured leading physician specialists from around the world who discussed the Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ and advances in brain tumor therapy, spine surgery and neurodegenerative disorders, and controversies in cerebrovascular disease.
• In June, Washington Hospital becomes the first hospital outside of Europe to treat patients using the new Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™, the most advanced non-invasive device for the treatment of brain disorders. Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ is a treatment device that delivers doses of focused radiation without making a single cut to reach even the deepest brain tumors while sparing surrounding tissue. The device can also treat additional disorders, such as brain metastases, vascular malformations, trigeminal neuralgia, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
• The Diabetes Education Program at Washington Hospital received the prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program. The association's Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the national standards for quality diabetes self-management education programs.
• Washington Hospital Healthcare System joins a select number of hospitals in the United States by earning the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. Washington Hospital is one of only two hospitals in Alameda County with this distinction and among 33 in the state to achieve this status.
  

2006

• Nakamura Clinic, Union City Opened
  
• Lymphedema Clinic Opened
• Washington Hospital receives the 2006 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence from HealthGrades; a leading, nationwide health care ratings organization. The distinction places Washington Hospital among the top five percent in the nation for clinical excellence.
• In November, 2006 - Washington Hospital Healthcare System holds an event for the new Central Plant, marking the beginning of renovation and expansion projects that will take place at Washington Hospital over the next several years. It is the first building that will be funded, in part, by Measure FF, a $190 million general obligation bond measure approved by voters in 2004.

2005

• Nakamura Clinic, Union City open house held in December. The clinic is scheduled to open in January 2006.

• InHealth, A Washington Hospital Channel, begins airing original health programming on Comcast Cable channel 78 for those who live in Fremont, Newark and Union City.

• Washington Hospital joins the efforts of hospitals nationwide by participating in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's (IHI) 100,000 Lives Campaign.

2004

• OB hospitalist program was established.
• Richard M. Warren Nursing Skills Lab opened.
• Bras for Body & Soul opened at Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave., Fremont.
• Lymphedema Services program began.
• Washington Township Health Care District residents approved Measure FF to fund the hospital's expansion.
  

2003

• Washington Hospital awarded a $1.5 million grant to Ohlone College's nursing program to help expand the program.
• W.O.W. Mobile Health Clinic was licensed and began making regular stops around the District providing care.
• Emergency department expanded adding eight new bays.
• Little Washington Township Child Care Center opened. The center is managed in partnership with Kidango.
• Pediatric hospitalist program was established.

2002

• Sixth floor opened expanding the number of patient rooms at Washington Hospital to 337.
• The Institute for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery was established.

2001

• Sports medicine program was established.
• Infant develepment program began at Washington Clinic/Newark in partnership with Lucille Packard Children's Hospital.
• Washington-Stanford Sleep Disorder Center opened in Washington West.
• New Washington-Stanford Radiation Oncology Center opened, which included a new linear accelerator and simulator.
• Washington Senior Care "medigap" insurance product was established.
• Care Card program was established.
• Digital Mammography began in Mammography Center in Washington West.
• Conrad E. Anderson, M.D. Auditoriums opened.

2000

• Community Mammogram Program was established providing free mammograms to the uninsured residents in our District.

• Washington Township - A Pictorial History was published by the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation.

1999

• Center for Joint Replacement opened. The Center offered a range of state-of-the-art services and was a Bay area pioneer in minimally invasive hip surgery.
• Washington Hospital was named to the "Top 100 Hospitals: Cardiovascular Hospitals" by HCIA.
• Tattoo Removal Program was implemented. The program was designed to help teenagers and young adults make positive changes in their lives by removing symbols of past negative behaviors and actions associated with gang and drug activities. This program coordinated tattoo removal with mentoring and other social support services.

1998

• The Health Care District's new Washington West building opened. It featured Washington Hospital's new Community Health Resource Library, a greatly expanded cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation center, the Washington Hospital Health Insurance Information Service, an expanded Washington Clinic and Fremont's only elevated pedestrian bridge, which served as a safe means of travel for patients, visitors and employees crossing Civic Center Drive.
  
• Washington Hospital and Ohlone College collaborated to offer a physical therapy assistant program to the community. In the fall, it accepted its first class of students.

1997

• Washington's new MRI center, operated through a joint venture with Alliance Imaging, scanned its first patient.

1996

• Washington Hospital's Ohlone Student Health Center opened its doors to offer health education and wellness programs to the campus' 8,000 students.
• The first of its kind in the Bay area, Washington Hospital's Health Insurance Information Service opened. The free service offered help in understanding complicated insurance language and guided consumers through the process of selecting a health plan.
• More than 900 children and parents attended the Washington Hospital Employees' Association's first annual Children's Health & Safety Fair.

1995

• The Washington Hospital Service League celebrated its 40th anniversary. Over the years, volunteers had contributed more than 1 million hours of service, and more than $1 million in donations.
  
• The Amanda Fund, established for Amanda May Uhler - a local infant who died of a rare heart condition - generously contributed $47,500 to benefit Childbirth and Family Services at Washington. In honor of the gift, a newly refurbished waiting area near the Birthing Center was officially named the Amanda Room.
  
• Newborn Amrit Kaur was the first patient of Washington's new special care nursery. The six-bassinet unit, operated by Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital and Washington Hospital, served newborns that need specialized care.

1993

• The freestanding Washington Birthing Center was incorporated into the hospital's newly upgraded Birthing Center on the hospital's second floor.
  

1992

• Washington celebrated the opening of its Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory.
• The Washington Township Health Care District Board of Directors approved a $47.2 million, six-year expansion project that would increase the Healthcare System's main campus to 25 acres. The project included the purchase of the former Emporium Capwell department store at 2500 Mowry Avenue. The new building would be called Washington West.
• Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center opened. It featured occupational and physical therapy, a whirlpool and indoor swimming pool.
  

1988

• A new Medical Imaging Laboratory opened in memory of longtime board member Thomas E. Lowden.
  
• Mitchell John Thompson of Fremont was the first baby born at the new Washington Birthing Center, the nation's largest freestanding facility. One hundred ninety babies were born there in the center's first year.
  

1987

• A newborn infant, just hours old, was found abandoned in a Fremont gas station just before Christmas and is brought to Washington Hospital. Nurses named her "Holly Noelle Washington." The tiny patient attracts widespread attention and was soon adopted.
  
• The Washington Hospital Foundation held its first Top Hat Dinner/Dance fundraiser. More than 300 guests helped raise $26,000.
  

1986

• The first open-heart surgery was performed at Washington Hospital, expanding its comprehensive cardiac care program.
• The Washington Hospital Foundation held its first annual Gene Angelo Pessagno Golf Tournament to benefit local hospice care. More than 100 golfers participated.

1985

• Children from Elk Grove School District were treated at Washington Hospital following a tragic bus accident on I-680.
• Washington physicians joined with the hospital to open the Washington Outpatient Surgery Center.

1984

• Washington Hospital and Stanford University's School of Medicine collaborated to provide local cancer treatment services to Tri-City patients through the new Washington-Stanford Radiation Oncology Center.

1983

• The Washington Hospital Foundation was organized to raise funds in support of hospital programs. Don Amsbaugh was elected its first president. The Washington Hospital Service League provided $35,000 to help establish the organization.
  
• Washington Hospital opened its first community-based clinic in Fremont. In the next two years, three more opened in Newark, Warm Springs and Union City.
  

1974

• Washington's six-floor expansion project was completed.

1971

• The Washington Hospital Employees' Association was founded to foster good community relations and support hospital programs and services.
  

1969

• Washington Township residents approved a bond issue to support a major hospital expansion that would add six floors and increased the number of beds from 150 to 265.

1963

• On June 7, Washington Hospital's new Intensive Care Unit accepted its first patient. The unit, made possible through a $10,000 donation from the Service League, was the first such unit west of the Mississippi River that was not associated with a teaching facility.

1961

• Joseph and Rebecca Reyna were the proud parents of Washington's first set of triplets, born April 15.

1959

• Tommy and Timmy Rogers were Washington's first twins, born to Clifford and Esther Rogers on February 6.

1958

• Washington Hospital hired its first employee, chief engineer Bob Solon.
• The community celebrated the hospital's completion at a November 2 ceremony.

• Washington Hospital opened on November 24. Michaela Parrish is the first baby born in the new facility.

1955

• Residents dedicated to the community and health care established the Washington Hospital Service League to volunteer support and provide funds to the community's new hospital. On May 11, 75 women attended the organization's first meeting, held in the courtroom of the Alameda County Building in Centerville.

• On a 10-acre site purchased from the Stivers family on Santos Road (now Mowry Avenue), Washington Township Board members broke ground for Washington Hospital. The location was chosen because it was situated in the center of the District.
  

1953

• Washington Hospital Medical Staff was organized. There were nine physicians on the staff to care for 18,000 residents. Merle Buehler, M.D., was elected the first Chief of Staff.
  

1948

• An overwhelming majority of voters approved the creation of the Washington Township Health Care District (known then as a Hospital District). Its first board of directors included A.E. Alameda, Fred Melhase, Manuel F. Silva, Allan Walton and Lester Whitaker, who was elected the board's first president by his fellow directors.