CEO Message
Over the past year, the staff and physicians of Washington Hospital Healthcare
System (WHHS) proved that in times of crisis they are resourceful, resilient,
and focused on our mission. That is why we bestowed the
2021 Nancy Farber Patient First Ethic Award not on an individual, but the entire Healthcare System, acknowledging
how everyone here collaborated in a time of crisis to ensure safe, compassionate
care for our patients and community when they needed us most.
While the COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered for its extraordinary challenges,
we also celebrate recent successes that foretell a bright future for local
health care. At the top of the list is the passing of Measure XX by the
residents of Washington Township Health Care District. Our community once
again proved its unwavering support for the Hospital and for this we are
grateful. When they voted to approve Measure XX, residents supported our
continued investment and expansion of our campus. This includes the build-out
of space in the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion and construction of
a modern new patient tower, which are necessary to meet unfunded state
seismic mandates by the 2030 deadline, keeping our Hospital open.
This year, our UCSF cardiothoracic and structural heart physicians began
performing transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR) here in Fremont.
TAVR, a minimally invasive procedure, replaces the need for open-heart
surgery and gives aortic stenosis patients who need a heart valve a new
lease on life without leaving their community. This is just one of the
many ways our growing affiliation with UCSF Health benefits our patients.
I am also pleased to announce that last month we participated in the prestigious
Joint Commission survey. Based on on-site surveyor feedback, we expect
to receive their three-year accreditation, which is the Gold Seal of Approval
from the country’s oldest and largest health care accrediting body.
This accreditation, like other awards and recognitions, is the byproduct
of the drive and commitment to high-quality and safe patient care demonstrated
by our employees, physicians and volunteers.
Now, while continuing to safely care for patients in a pandemic, we are
focused on the most promising hope for ending this crisis: vaccinating
our community. Following local public health and CDC directives, we started
with staff and physicians, then began vaccinating eligible community members
on February 1. On behalf of the Washington Hospital family, I strongly
encourage everyone to get vaccinated when you are eligible and given the
opportunity, so that we can reach herd immunity and finally end the fight
against COVID-19.
I am hopeful for a return to our “new normal” and excited about
the future of WHHS. While I feel we are turning the corner, there may
be a few bumps along the way. The road to recovery will not happen overnight,
but as we go through that journey we will continue to improve our facilities,
bring the newest in medical technology to this community, and keep our
team committed to the Patient First Ethic.
If you have any questions or would like more information about Washington
Hospital, including anything I’ve shared in this letter, please
contact Community Relations at 510.818.7417.
Kimberly Hartz
Chief Executive Officer