Introducing Washington Health

Washington Hospital Healthcare System has changed its name to Washington Health and is introducing an updated look and logo as well as new mission, vision, and value statements that represent the patient-centered, comprehensive health system it has become. The new identity symbolizes a commitment to whole-person health and wellness rather than transactional, “as needed” care.

“Our new name, mission, vision, and values wholly represent our organization which has evolved from an independent community hospital into an integrated health system offering advanced care to the Washington Township Health Care District that has faithfully supported us for more than 60 years,” said Washington Health CEO Kimberly Hartz. “Washington Health is well positioned to fulfill its mission to deliver exceptional, accessible, and personalized care to enhance the health and well-being of our diverse community for generations to come.”

When Washington Hospital opened in 1958, it was an independent community hospital serving an agricultural community with a population of 18,000 people. Now, Washington Health is an integrated health system that includes a medical group, outpatient services, and centers of excellence in orthopedics and neurosurgery; award-winning UCSF-affiliated services in oncology, cardiovascular surgery, maternal and child health, and neonatal intensive care; and most recently, a Level II trauma center. Its service area has grown to include Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, and Sunol, which are home to a diverse and multicultural population of over half a million people. Given this evolution, the health system has updated its name, image, and goals to reflect what it is today.

A New Name for a New Era

The first thing people may notice is the new name, Washington Health. Going forward, all entities associated with the health system, like the hospital, clinics, specialty services, and treatment centers, will all have this name, as they are all under the umbrella of one integrated health system. The name will continue to include “Washington”, which is the name many community members have used over the years. The word “Health” focuses on overall wellness rather than “health care,” which relates to transactional medical care for a specific injury or illness. “Health” better represents their mission of helping people live healthier lives through prevention and proactive lifestyle choices.

The new logo also has a fresh new look. Three different-sized and colored elements represent the diverse communities the health system serves, reflective of race, culture, age, and gender. The circular form symbolizes the continuum of care that brings the three elements into a cohesive whole. The cyclical motion of the design signifies continuous health outreach that fosters healthier communities. The two new blue colors promote a feeling of calm and freshness, while the familiar dark green pays respect to their rich history and deep community roots.

New Mission, Vision, and Values—Same Commitment to Exceptional Care

Along with the new name and look, Washington Health has updated and streamlined its mission, vision, and values statements. The new mission is to deliver exceptional, accessible, and personalized care to enhance the health and well-being of a diverse community. The new vision is to be the trusted first choice for care, where everyone does their best work. The values are:

• Excellence: Providing the highest standard of quality, safe, and accessible health care.
• Patient-Centered Care: Putting the patient at the center of everything we do.
• Compassion: Responding with care, empathy, and equity in every interaction.
• Respect: Relating to each person with dignity – appreciating the uniqueness of each person and the contribution of each team member.
• Integrity: Acting with honesty and accountability to do the right thing.

Changes will start appearing at the main campus in Fremont and satellite clinics, as well as throughout the health system’s online presence, as new signage, printed pieces, and digital media roll out in phases this year.

“We remain the award-winning organization our patients have come to expect as we continue to evolve with new, advanced medical technologies and services under our new name. Washington Health stands as an independent, integrated health system created by the community for the community. We look forward to continuing to serve our patients, their families, and future generations with a shared commitment to building a healthier future for everyone,” said Hartz.