INTERVIEWS & B-ROLL: Hillsboro's Westside Medical Center Celebrates 10th Anniversary (Photo) -08/10/23
Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Exceptional Health Care and Community Service
-New $250,000 medical respite grant to support homeless patients in Washington County
(HILLSBORO, ORE.) August 10, 2023: Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center is proud to celebrate its 10th anniversary of dedicated service to the Hillsboro community and the entire Washington County. Opening its doors on August 6, 2013, Westside Medical Center became the first new hospital in the county in 40 years. Over the past decade, this state-of-the-art facility has become an integral part of the community, making a significant impact on the health and well-being of countless individuals.
Since opening, Westside Medical Center has been at the forefront of medical advancements and innovation. Boasting advanced robotic surgery capabilities, the hospital has been a pioneer in innovative medical technology. Westside Medical Center also holds the honor of being the first hospital in Oregon to be LEED Gold certified, highlighting its unwavering commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly design practices.
“We are excited to celebrate this milestone,” said Jeff Collins, regional president of Kaiser Permanente in the Northwest. “Ten years ago, we opened with a vision to provide excellent medical care and create an environment that supports healing and health. During that time, and especially most recently with our team’s heroic response to the pandemic, our teams have more than lived up to that vision. We look forward to the next decade of care and service to the community.”
As part of the 10th-anniversary celebrations, Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center has organized employee appreciation events to recognize the hard work and unwavering dedication of its staff.
Interviews & B-Roll:
Kathryn Vandewall, Chief Nurse Executive for Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest available Friday, August 11. Contact Kim Mounts to schedule.
Interview clips with Kathryn Vandewall: https://vimeo.com/853487286/45039d03f3
B-roll (1080): https://vimeo.com/853242394/9ae5360158
B-roll (4k): https://vimeo.com/853243147/eb829bbc08
Kaiser Permanente is also committed to supporting local initiatives that enhance the health of the communities it serves. This year, Kaiser Permanente will invest nearly $400,000 in Washington County programs, including a new $250,000 medical respite grant for short-term housing and medical care for patients who are homeless, as well as several employee volunteer grants to organizations with which Kaiser Permanente’s employees and clinicians are highly engaged, volunteering hundreds of hours of their own time in the local community. Kaiser Permanente will also be funding no-cost mobile health clinics for individuals who are underinsured or uninsured, among other programs.
Over the years, Westside Medical Center’s care teams have welcomed 14,343 babies, cared for 369,033 people in our emergency department, and performed more than 42,997 inpatient surgeries. Additionally, the hospital played a pivotal role in Oregon's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic by diagnosing the state's first patient with COVID-19, who was treated and discharged after spending 71 days under the hospital's care.
Westside Medical Center has become an essential member of the community, providing high quality care to a growing number of residents. Currently employing 1,010 dedicated individuals, the hospital cares for nearly 64,000 patients annually. In 2022 alone, Westside Medical Center delivered 1,348 babies, recorded 41,130 emergency room visits, 22,609 total hospital encounters (excluding emergency room visits), and 9,723 surgeries, which included 696 robotic surgeries.
“Hillsboro residents and employers are fortunate to have world-class health care right here at home, and Kaiser Permanente is a big reason why,” said City of Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, who served on the Hillsboro Planning Commission at the time the plans for the Westside Medical Center project were first brought to the City for review. “As a steadily growing community, our health care needs are growing as well. Since opening in 2013, Kaiser Permanente’s Westside Medical Center has been a tremendous addition to the Hillsboro community. Thousands upon thousands of people in Hillsboro are healthier today as a direct result.”
Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center’s team puts quality and safety first in the daily care of its patients. The hospital has consistently been recognized for its high standards, including:
- Received the Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ for 7 years in a Row (2017 to 2023), and among Healthgrades Top 10% in the Nation for Outstanding Patient Experience for 7 years in a Row (2017 to 2023)
- Received an “A” rating for the Spring 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
- Recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association with the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Award and Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award
Westside Medical Center is grateful for the trust the community has placed in them over the past decade, and its staff remain committed to providing exceptional healthcare services for years to come.
