Quick facts

In 2008, Kaiser Permanente issued grants to 2,414 organizations in our communities. a Learn more
Our community benefit expenditure in 2008 totaled nearly $1.18 billion, equal to 78 percent of our operating income of $1.5 billion. a Learn more
Kaiser Permanente is engaged in community health initiatives in 40 communities around the country. a Learn more
In 2008, we provided Charitable Health Coverage membership to more than 100,000 people and Medical Financial Assistance to nearly 30,000 people. a Learn more
In 2008, our Educational Theater Program performed for more than 677,000 children and adults, covering topics from healthy eating to STD awareness. a Learn more
Every year on Martin Luther King Day, Kaiser Permanente employees and physicians volunteer their time to help our communities. a Learn more
More than 5,000 employees and physicians volunteered on more than 80 projects on Martin Luther King Day in 2008. a Learn more
More than 6.5 million people have been educated and entertained by Kaiser Permanente Educational Theater performances. a Learn more
In 2008, Practice Greenhealth recognized our organization's efforts to reduce waste and prevent pollution with 12 awards. a Learn more
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has a 500-square-foot, million-dollar Mobile Health Vehicle, which brings care to members across the Big Island. Learn more
The name “Permanente” was inspired by a creek on land owned by Henry J. Kaiser. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente facilities see more than 36 million outpatient visits per year. Learn more
There are more than 14,000 Permanente Medical Group physicians working with Kaiser Permanente today. Learn more
The skyscraper housing Kaiser Permanente’s corporate offices is named after Henry J. Kaiser’s first employee, Alonzo Ordway. Learn more
Compared to national statistics, HIV patients at Kaiser Permanente are living longer and are healthier than those who are not in our care system. Learn more
More than 90 percent of Kaiser Permanente’s HIV patients are in care within 90 days—dramatically under the national average. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente’s mortality rate for HIV patients is only 1.6 percent—less than half the national average. Learn more
Computer-assisted care has nearly eliminated new cases of blindness in diabetics among Kaiser Permanente Northern California members. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente has more than 167,000 full- and part-time employees. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente has some of the largest multispecialty group practices in the nation. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente helped to pioneer many same-day surgeries, including tonsillectomies and hernia repairs. Learn more
Although the majority of American health care didn't become desegregated until the 1960s, our member services were never racially segregated. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente membership has grown from 25,000 to approximately 8.6 million since community enrollment began in 1946. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente’s nursing team is more than 40,000 strong. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente physicians perform nearly 550,000 inpatient and outpatient surgeries per year. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente’s first rehab center was founded to help Henry J. Kaiser’s son, Henry Jr., who had multiple sclerosis. Learn more
The first hospitals built by Henry J. Kaiser served workers at his dam construction sites and shipyards. Learn more
Beatrice Lei, born in China in 1910, joined the Permanente Health Plan in 1946 and was the first woman physician in the medical group. Learn more
Opened in 1933 by Kaiser Permanente founding physician Sidney Garfield, MD, Contractor’s General Hospital is now a California state historical landmark. Learn more
Henry J. Kaiser was inducted into the Labor Hall of Fame for his efforts to create better conditions for millions of American workers. Learn more
If Kaiser Permanente were a for-profit company, its Fortune 500 rank would be 56. Learn more
We recycled 74,000 pieces of Kaiser Permanente electronic equipment in 2008—rather than dropping them all into landfills. Learn more
During the construction of our new San Leandro Medical Center, nearly 100 percent of our demolition waste was recycled. Learn more
During construction, nearly 97 percent of the packaging waste at our Modesto Medical Center site was recycled. Learn more
Over the past five years, Kaiser Permanente’s efforts have prevented 70 million pounds of air pollutants annually from entering the atmosphere. Learn more
In the past five years, we have eliminated the purchase and disposal of 40 tons of hazardous chemicals. Learn more
Over the past five years, we have saved more than $10 million per year through energy conservation strategies. Learn more
We are testing new prescription bottles made with recycled materials—reducing the carbon footprint of these containers by 60 percent. Learn more
In Southern California, we are testing new biodegradable mailer bags for our prescription mail-order facilities. Learn more
By reducing the footprint of our buildings, we have saved $2 million in construction costs and more than 10 acres from development. Learn more
Over the past five years, more than 50 acres of reflective roofing were installed that will generate savings over the life of a facility. Learn more
We participate in the Global Health and Safety Initiative—a coalition of health care organizations who aim to deliver optimally green health care. Learn more
In an effort to cease our use of PVC products, we have partnered with suppliers to introduce several new PVC-free products to the market. Learn more
We eliminated millions of vinyl gloves—and drove down the price of alternatives—by switching to latex-free nitrile gloves at all facilities. Learn more
We worked with a manufacturer to develop a PVC-free carpet with backing made from 95 percent post-consumer recycled plastic at no additional cost. Learn more
Our new carpet standard has a backing made from windshield safety film that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Learn more
Our $24-billion facility plan is the largest in U.S. history, with the construction or expansion of 27 hospitals and 130 medical offices to be completed by 2014. Learn more
By choosing native plants over turf in landscaping design, we are able to reduce our water use and support sustainable environments. Learn more
We are firm believers in adding design features that support the healing process, such as increased daylight and more green space. Learn more
Many of our hospitals serve locally grown food to patients, reducing the negative carbon footprint that comes from transporting food. Learn more
As of 2008, Kaiser Permanente hosts 30 nationally recognized farmers’ markets on medical center campuses across the country. Learn more
Instead of using traditional electric boilers to heat water, our newest hospitals use an efficient system that captures excess heat and converts it to energy. Learn more
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Kaiser Permanente’s new Vacaville Medical Center reused asphalt from an old parking area to repave the new facility. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente conducts more than 2,000 clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and health services research studies each year. Learn more
The BEEWARE labeling system developed in our Mid-Atlantic States region alerts pharmacy staff to medications with the highest risk of injury when misused. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente designed a drawer in a wall that allows newborns to be moved between the nursery and the mother’s hospital room. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente developed Archimedes, a powerful computer simulation model, to help develop best practices for treating a variety of diseases. Learn more
Our researchers published more than 700 studies in 2008. Several of those studies received worldwide recognition. Learn more
A Kaiser Permanente study showed that brief cognitive behavioral therapy can help prevent depression in teens. Learn more
One of our studies proved that reducing salt and eating fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy significantly reduces blood pressure. Learn more
Nearly 39 percent of recent studies conducted at our Center for Health Research focus on the treatment and prevention of cancer. Learn more
More than 32,000 people have participated in research studies at Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente collaborated with the national Alzheimer’s Association to design the first managed care industry program for dementia. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente identified 120 pairs of drugs that look alike or sound alike to help prevent misidentification of drugs. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente research led to U.S. Preventive Task Force recommendations on colorectal cancer screenings. Learn more
Our research on the cost of health care for Medicare recipients was crucial in passing federal legislation that allows HMOs to enroll this group. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente researchers showed that quitting smoking reduces coronary heart disease death rates to nonsmoker levels. Learn more
Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research is leading a study of environmental and behavioral factors relating to breast cancer. Learn more
If Kaiser Permanente were a construction company, it would be the fifth-largest construction company in the country. Learn more
KP HealthConnect® is the world’s largest civilian electronic medical record database. Learn more
The Garfield Center is the only setting of its kind where hands-on innovation sessions are played out in a safe, simulated clinical space. Learn more
Our in-house Innovation Consultancy uses human-centered design and thinking to solve problems and find new ways to deliver patient-centric care. Learn more
Our Innovation and Advanced Technology Group looks for disruptive technology that is on the horizon, and assesses its place in health care. Learn more

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