Our History
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 health care
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 health care 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
2020
- In February, Washington Hospital established the Nancy Farber Patient First
Ethic Award.
- In February, WHHS began using 3D mammography as a diagnostic tool.
- In March, the COVID-19 Command Center opened.
- In March, the Rapid Screening and Treatment Unit (RSTU) opened to facilitate
receiving potential COVID-19 patients away from general Emergency Department patients.
- In March, a BioFire Analyzer for in-house COVID-19 testing was purchased
and installed.
- In April, WTMF clinics began virtual consults for patients who did not
require in-person visits.
- In April, Health & Wellness seminars, support groups and other meetings
resumed virtually.
- In July, the Washington Township Health Care District board approved a
resolution to place on the Nov. ballot, a $425 million bond measure to
help fund Phase III of the Facilities Master Plan to replace the Main
Hospital building with a new seismically-compliant facility.
- In September and October, Washington Urgent Care and WTMF sponsored drive-thru
flu vaccination clinics.
2019
- In April, after 35 years of service, 25 as CEO, Nancy Farber announced
her retirement.
- In June, the pet therapy program, WOOF, launched.
- In July, Kimberly Hartz formally accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer.
- In August, a ribbon-cutting ceremony established the renaming of the WTMF
Newark clinic to the Danielson Clinic Newark, honoring Patricia “Pat”
Danielson.
- In October, the Pharmacy Residency Program was reaccredited for eight additional years.
2018
- In February, Washington Hospital Healthcare System earned the Healthgrades
America’s 100 Best Hospitals award.
- U.S. News & World Report named Washington Hospital one of the Best
Regional Hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area, with special recognition
in three areas of care.
- In June, the renovation project for the Food & Nutrition Services kitchen
and café were completed.
- In September, community leaders attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of
the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion.
- In October, Top Hat celebrated 30 years.
- In October, Think Pink celebrated 10 years.
- In October, WHHS hosted the Neuroscience Symposium.
- In November, the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion (MHCCP) opened.
- In November, Washington Hospital celebrated its 60-year anniversary.
2017
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In March, Washington Hospital Healthcare System earned the Healthgrades
Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence for a 4th Consecutive Year.
- In May, the electronic medical records, Epic, upgrade was completed.
- In December, in collaboration with UCSF, the Prenatal Diagnostic Clinic opened.
- Washington Hospital received the Practice Greenhealth’s Partner for
Change Award
2016
- In July, Washington Hospital hosted the 8th Bay Area Advances in Neurosciences
Symposium.
- In June, construction on Washington Hospital's new parking garage reached
completion.
- In February, Washington Hospital received the American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award.
2015
- In December, Washington Hospital implemented a new laboratory information
system, Beaker, to support workflow for clinical pathology and laboratory services.
- In October, Washington Hospital Healthcare System became a Five-Star Recipient
of Healthgrades Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award (top 5% in nation
for overall orthopedic services).
- In October, Washington Hospital Healthcare System earned a Five-Star Rating
from Healthgrades for Stroke Treatment.
- In August, Washington Hospital received Joint Commission Accreditation
for its Clinical Lab.
- In August, an Inpatient Pediatric Surgery Program with UCSF began.
- In August, US News & World Report Ranked Washington Hospital Number
Four on the List of "Best Regional Hospitals" in the San Francisco-Oakland
Metro Area.
- In July, Washington Hospital launched an updated version of its website.
- In May, Washington Hospital received the 2015 Environmental Excellence
Award by Practice Greenhealth.
- In May, Washington Hospital received the Best of Fremont Award.
- In May, WeCare, Washington Hospital's comprehensive electronic health record
system, underwent an upgrade from the 2010 to the 2014 version.
- In March, the Washington Hospital Service League celebrated its 60th Anniversary.
- In February, Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion Groundbreaking took place
with construction scheduled for completion in late 2018.
- In February, the Washington Hospital campus and all related health care
system entities became smoke- and tobacco-free zones.
- In January, parking garage construction began with construction scheduled
for completion in February 2016.
2014
- In November, an Advanced Heart Failure Outreach Clinic in Fremont in collaboration w/UCSF.
- In November, a Pediatric Surgery Clinic in Fremont in collaboration w/UCSF.
- In October, Washington Hospital began its Lean transformation journey,
which is based on the extensively proven Toyota Production System.
- In August, US News & World Report ranked Washington Hospital 4th on
the list of "Best Regional Hospitals" in the San Francisco-Oakland
Metro Area.
- In August, Washington Hospital earns an unconditional three-year accreditation
from the Joint Commission.
- In August, the Care Everywhere Application, a tool within the Epic electronic
medical record that is used to securely share patient records with other
health care providers, is launched.
- In July, the 7th Bay Area Neurosciences Symposium at Washington Hospital
where nationally and internationally recognized experts discussed a wide
range of topics focused on neurological diseases, disorders, and treatment
approaches. The program coordinators were Dr. Sandeep Kunwar, neurosurgeon;
Dr. David Larson, radiation oncologist; and Dr. Moses Taghioff, neurosurgeon.
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In April, the
Stroke Program received AHA Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
and the Target Stroke Honor Roll Award.
- In March, Washington Hospital earned the distinction as a "Baby-Friendly
Hospital" from the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a global
program launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF).
2013
- In December, Washington Hospital celebrated the expansion of our Biplane
Cardiac Catherization Laboratory and Radiology Room.
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In October,
Washington MyChart, a new online patient portal was rolled out in certain areas within Washington
Hospital Healthcare System. MyChart offers patients personalized and secure
on-line access to portions of their medical records.
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In August,
Washington Hospital's Stroke Program was recognized as a recipient of the American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association's Get With the Guidelines Gold Plus Quality Achievement
Award and the Target Stroke Honor Roll Award for improving stroke care.
- In July, Washington Hospital successfully launched "We Care,"
a new electronic medical records program. The new electronic medical record
(EMR) puts a patient's health information at the fingertips of their medical
provider within Washington Hospital Healthcare System.
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In July, Washington Hospital and
Kidango's Washington Township Child Care Center celebrated the annivesary of a 10-year partnership improving early education
for hundreds of Fremont and Tri-City Area children.
- In June, Washington Hospital Healthcare System and the University of California
San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center announced a collaborative relationship
to create a comprehensive, integrated regional health care network serving
the needs of our local community.
- In June, Washington Hospital's Pharmacy Department graduated their first
Pharmacy Practice Residents. Washington Hospital is part of an elite group
offering a pharmacy residency.
- In May, Alameda County honored Washington Hospital for the quality and
effectiveness of its response to cardiac arrest by giving it a Professional
Partner "Star" Award for the staff's "teamwork in administering
life-saving interventions to a cardiac arrest patient."
- In May, the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC) named
Washington Hospital as one of only 79 organizations nationwide to receive
its coveted Outstanding Achievement Award based on cancer program surveys
conducted in 2012.
- In April, Washington Hospital received a three-year accreditation designation
of its Breast Health Program from the National Accreditation Program for
Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College
of Surgeons.
2012
- In November, Washington Township Health Care District residents unanimously
approved Measure Z to fund the Hospital's long term master plan to expand
and upgrade intensive and critical care facilities.
- In November, Washington Hospital was named by Healthgrades as one of America's
100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement in the Bay Area for two years
in a row (2012-2013).
- In October, Washington Hospital was honored by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) with its Bronze Medal of Honor for its work to
reduce the number of people waiting for an organ or tissue transplant.
- In August, U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington Hospital number
four on the list of "Best Regional Hospitals" in the San Francisco
metro area, which includes the East Bay. Only eight of the 45 hospitals
in this region were accorded this prestigious ranking.
- In July, Washington Hospital's Women's Center was designated a Breast Imaging
Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). This
designation is given to those Breast Imaging Centers that have demonstrated
high quality in all areas of breast imaging.
- In June, Washington Hospital was named by Healthgrades as one of America's
100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement in 2012.
- In June, Healthgrades named Washington Hospital a Five-Star Recipient for
Joint Replacement for seven years in a row (2006-2012). The Hospital also
received Healthgrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award for six years
in a row, and was ranked among the Top 10 in California for Joint Replacement
(#3 in 2012) for seven years in a row.
- In June, Healthgrades ranked Washington Hospital among the top 5 percent
in the nation for Treatment of Stroke and also awarded the Hospital with
a Stroke Care Excellence Award.
- In June, Healthgrades named Washington Hospital as a Five-Star Recipient
for Neurosciences.
- In June, Healthgrades named Washington Hospital a Five-Star Recipient for
Back and Neck Surgery (Spinal Fusion) for three years in a row.
- In June, Healthgrades named Washington Hospital a Five-Star Recipient for
Total Hip Replacement for nine years in a row.
- In June, Healthgrades named Washington Hospital a Five-Star Recipient for
Total Knee Replacement for seven years in a row.
- In May, Washington Hospital celebrated the grand opening of the new Center
for Joint Replacement building. The facility’s opening marks the
beginning of a new era for joint care at the Hospital.
- In May, Practice Greenhealth awared Washington Hospital a 2012 “Partner
for Change, with Distinction” award in recognition of the Hospital’s
ongoing sustainability and environmental conservation efforts.
- In April, Washington Hospital celebrated the opening of its new Maternal
Child Education Center. New and expecting parents benefit from the centralized
site that focuses on all of their pre- and post-natal education needs.
- In January, Washington Hospital celebrated the opening of its new Newark
Clinic. The Hospital has supported a clinic in Newark for nearly 30 years.
The location at 6236 Thornton Ave. was selected to bring community health
care services closer to where the citizens of Newark live and work.
2011
- In December, Washington Hospital celebrated the opening of its new central
utility plant. The 37,000 square foot plant, completed ahead of schedule
and meeting every emissions standard, is critical because it will power
all of our facilities of the future with three times the generating power
of the old plant, provides life-saving power in the event of an emergency,
and is seismically sound.
- In October, Washington Hospital and Washington Township Medical Foundation
co-sponsored an American Heart Association Heart Walk.
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In October, Washington Hospital opened the
Sandy Amos, RN Infusion Center, offering a comfortable, tranquil and patient-centered environment for
patients who require frequent infusion therapy.
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In September, Washington Hospital received
Magnet® status designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet status means
that the Hospital provides a superior level of health care for patients,
displays innovative practices and employs nurses as part of its team who
perform excellent work. Washington Hospital is only the fifth hospital
in the Bay Area and 24th in California to achieve this recognition. Only
6.7 percent of hospitals in the United States have earned this status.
- In September, Washington Hospital was surveyed by the Joint Commission
and received a preliminary report giving accreditation for the maximum
term possible with praise for the quality of care provided to the residents
of the District.
- In September, The Joint Commission named Washington Hospital as a Top Performer
on Key Quality and Patient Safety Measures.™ It is a prestigious
distinction, awarded to an elite group of 405 hospitals across the country
that followed 22 important best practices 95 percent of the time or better.
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In August, Washington Hospital -- for the third time in a row -- was awarded
the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for
Primary Stroke Centers.
- In August, InHealth earned a bronze Telly Award for "Inside Washington:
Advances in Cardiac Care." The award-winning program was selected
from more than 14,000 entries from around the country.
- In July, the Hospital implemented Concierge Services to serve patients,
their families and Hospital staff.
- In April, Washington Hospital received the Chamber of Commerce’s
Chair Award for unwavering support and critical contributions to the success
of the Chamber. This is the highest honor given by the Chamber of Commerce.
- In April, Washington Hospital received a "2011 Partner for Change
Award" from Practice Greenhealth. The award recognizes the Hospital’s
achievements in developing programs to prevent pollution, reduce and recycle
solid waste, eliminate mercury, reduce water and energy consumption and
establish "green" purchasing policies.
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In April, Healthgrades ranked Washington Hospital among the top 15 percent
in the nation for treatment of stroke and named its
Stroke Program as Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Stroke.
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In April, Healthgrades named Washington Hospital's
Center for Joint Replacement (CJR) as the number one joint replacement program in California. CJR has now
ranked among the top 10 in California six years in a row, and among the
top 5 percent in the nation for five years in a row.
- In April, Washington Hospital received the 2011 Healthgrades Award for
Patient Safety Excellence, which places the Hospital among the top five
percent in the nation for Patient Safety. Washington is the only hospital
in the East Bay and among one of only 268 hospitals nationally to receive
this distinction.
- In March, the Washington Hospital Medical Staff received from Professional
Research Consultants (PRC) the 4-star award for excellence in the areas
of Anesthesia Services and Medical Records. The award is based on a Medical
Staff survey conducted for hospitals that score in the top 25 percent
based on local physician ratings.
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In March,
The Center for Joint Replacement received the 5-star and the "Top Performer" customer service
awards from Healthgrades for Inpatient Orthopedics Overall Quality of
Care. The CJR scored in the top 10 percent nationally based on "Excellent"
patient responses.
- In March, Washington Hospital received 2011 National Excellence in Healthcare
Award from Professional Research Consultants (PRC) for outstanding quality
of care in Orthopedics, Anesthesia Services and Medical Records.
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In January, The
Washington Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine celebrated its grand opening. Located near the Hospital on Civic Center
Drive, the 4,000-square-foot space includes two hyperbaric chambers. The
chambers speed up healing by delivering increased amounts of oxygen to
the entire body and especially the wound area.
2010
- In November, in recognition of Fremont Bank Foundation's $1.5 million grant
to help support the construction of Washington Hospital's new critical
care pavilion, the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation is naming
the pavilion "The Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion."
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In November, Washington Hospital received the 2010 StopWaste Business Efficiency
Award for outstanding achievements in waste reduction and environmental
performance. The Hospital was singled out with 11 other local companies
and organizations by StopWaste.org, which is facilitated by the Alameda
County Waste Management Authority. Since the Hospital’s
Green Team was formed in 2008, several facility-wide recycling and compostable collection
programs have been implemented. Highlights in the last year have included
a successful take-back program for the public, allowing people to drop
off unwanted or unused medications for safe disposal. This program collected
two tons of medications in 2009.
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In October, Washington Hospital's
Center for Joint Replacement (CJR) received a Five-Star Customer Service Award from Professional Research
Consultants (PRC). To achieve this, the Center for Joint Replacement scored
in the top 10 percent nationally based on "Excellent" patient
responses in the category of "Inpatient Orthopedic Services Overall
Quality of Care."
Even more impressive is the fact that The Center for Joint Replacement
received the Top Performer Award for 2007, 2009 and 2010 for obtaining
the highest ranking nationally of all orthopaedic surgery units surveyed.
The Top Performer Award is PRC’s highest honor.
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In August, Washington Hospital's
Stroke Program earned top honors by receiving the Gold Plus 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. Hospitals receiving the Gold
Plus Award have reached an aggressive goal of treating stroke patients
with 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels of care for
24 consecutive months.
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In May, Washington Hospital held a health fair and open house celebrating
the opening of the new
Washington Outpatient Diabetes Center. The program is certified by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and
is recognized by the ADA for Quality Self-Management Education.
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In March, Washington Hospital's
Community Cancer Program received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer
(CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Washington Hospital is
only one of four hospitals in California and one of 82 hospitals in the
country to receive this recognition.
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In February, Washington Hospital held a ceremonial ground breaking for the new
Center for Joint Replacement. Since 1998, the Center for Joint Replacement has become one of the West
Coast's leading joint replacement programs and has been a pioneer in minimally
invasive hip and knee replacement surgery. The 20,000 square-foot replacement
building will consist of three stories with 40 patient rooms. The new
facility is scheduled to be completed by early 2012.
- In February, Washington Hospital along with more than 20 other Bay Area
hospitals responded to the Haiti earthquake medical relief effort. Washington
Hospital sent two shipments of surplus medical supplies and equipment
to help those most in need.
2009
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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 began 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.