CEO Message
This is a momentous, yet pivotal, time for Washington Hospital Healthcare
System. Health care is experiencing a tumultuous time at both the State
and Federal legislative levels, and it appears what’s for certain
is that nothing is for certain. However, as your local health care provider,
we continue to be focused on what we do best – provide quality care
to the residents of our community. We are excited about the future as
we reflect on some of the significant events we celebrated this past year
such as our 60th anniversary and the opening of the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion.
Our growing strategic affiliation with UCSF Health has enabled us to bring
academic-level care to our community through local, convenient access
to UCSF’s renowned specialty services. These include neonatal, perinatal
and pediatric care; cancer care, genetic counseling, radiation oncology;
cardiac care, advanced heart failure and liver transplant services, as
well as expanded access to other specialized UCSF physicians.
Washington Hospital is proud to be a community-owned hospital, whose shareholders,
stakeholders and patients are one and the same. Our primary mission drives
us, day in and day out, to continuously look at ways to improve the health
care we provide to our community.
I am honored and excited to begin my new role as CEO of Washington Hospital
Healthcare System. As we look to the future, it is important to not dwell
on the past but preserve specific aspects of the past that are core to
who we are and our past successes – one of which is the Patient
First Ethic. Putting our patients first is integral to the way we operate,
and that will continue.
We will also move forward with our UCSF Health affiliation, expanding our
relationship so that we can continue bringing world-class physicians and
specialty services here to the residents of our community. Being able
to drive minutes instead of hours for ongoing testing, diagnoses and sometimes
daily treatment brings immeasurable value to our residents. I am extremely
proud of the work we’ve done to bring this vision to life, and we
will continue to strengthen this vital connection.
There is also much work to be done as we enter the final phase of our Facilities
Master Plan, which outlines the last phase of our development of our main
campus in order to meet the 2030 state seismic regulations deadline. These
seismic requirements are “unfunded mandates” which all hospitals
must abide by. The first two phases of our Facilities Master Plan included
construction of the Central Utility Plant, Center for Joint Replacement,
parking garage, and Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion. Phase three calls
for construction of a new inpatient tower that will be home to our maternal
and child health services along with other important services.
Washington Hospital has grown and prospered for six decades on strong leadership;
exceptional clinicians, staff and volunteers; and the unwavering support
of our community owners – the residents of this Health Care District.
I look forward to continuing this rich tradition together with all of you.
Kimberly Hartz
Chief Executive Officer