Community-based nonprofit health care system with a passion to serve
By Jillian Chandler
Photo courtesy of Multi-Care Health System
It was 1882 when Tacoma’s first hospital opened its doors to the community. Fannie C Paddock Memorial Hospital was named in honor of Frances “Fannie” C Paddock, the wife of Reverend John Adams Paddock, who was appointed the first Protestant Episcopal missionary bishop of Washington Territory, and commissioned to move to Tacoma. While preparing for their move across country to their new home, the couple learned of the dire health conditions of the region, and Fannie was determined to raise the funds needed to establish a hospital.
Unfortunately, Fannie would pass away before her vision was realized, but John would carry out her mission. The Fannie C Paddock Memorial Hospital opened its doors for care on April 29, 1882, one year to the day after Fannie’s death.
MultiCare carries out its mission, vision and values with that same passion for service to community that inspired the Paddocks to bring Tacoma its first hospital—known today as Tacoma General Hospital.
Caring for communities in Washington state ever since, today MultiCare is comprised of more than 20,000 team members—including employees, providers and volunteers.
“We’ve grown from a Tacoma-centric, hospital-based organization into the largest not-for-profit, community-based, locally owned health system in the state of Washington,” says William G. “Bill” Robertson, president and CEO of MultiCare.
With multiple locations throughout Washington state, including Tacoma, Pierce County and the surrounding Puget Sound region, MultiCare is overseen by a volunteer board of directors and led by a team of executive leaders, including Bill Robertson and Florence Chang, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
MultiCare’s network of care includes 11 hospitals:
• MultiCare Allenmore Hospital, Tacoma
• MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, Auburn
• MultiCare Capital Medical Center, Olympia
• MultiCare Covington Medical Center, Covington
• MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, Spokane
• MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup
• Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Tacoma (the region’s only children’s hospital and state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center for Western Washington)
• MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, Tacoma (home to the Puget Sound Region’s only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
• MultiCare Valley Hospital, Spokane Valley
• Navos Behavioral Health Hospital, West Seattle (independently operated affiliate)
• Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital, Tacoma (independently operated joint venture of MultiCare and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health)
“The communities we serve are also where we live, work and raise our families. We understand the needs of our region because this is where we are from,” shares Robertson. “MultiCare has been here for nearly 140 years, and we remain fully committed to serving our western Washington communities and to supporting our valued employees and providers here in the Puget Sound region.”
MultiCare’s steadfast commitment to being the Pacific Northwest’s highest value system of health, as well as its dedication to their mission of “Partnering for healing and a healthy future,” are the driving force behind their service to their patients and community.
“Our incredible all-volunteer system board and our executive leadership team bring knowledge, experience and a deep belief in the importance of accessible health care for all communities to the work that they do every day to steer our organization toward success,” affirms Robertson.
The organization looks to partner with like-minded groups in improving the health and wellness of this region—beyond the delivery of exceptional health care. MultiCare has a long history of involvement in the community, and has partnered with and supported numerous organizations also working to improve the lives of the people within our communities, including Habitat for Humanity, the American Heart Association, the United Way, Hilltop Artists and the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center.
MultiCare team members also engage in a wide range of volunteer activities that benefit the communities they serve. In 2019, MultiCare employees contributed an estimated 28,000 hours to volunteer and/or community service activities.
“MultiCare will continue to expand care to the communities it serves,” says Robertson, “ensuring primary, emergency and specialty care is easily accessible to all.”
MultiCare Health System
820 A Street
Tacoma, Washington 98402
253.403.1000
MultiCare.org