Kaiser Permanente names Wendy Watson president for Northwest Region

Watson previously served as chief operating officer.

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente has announced that Wendy Watson has been named president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest effective February 16, 2025, as Jeff Collins retires from the organization. As regional president, Watson will lead the organization's focus on providing integrated, high-quality health care and coverage for more than 612,000 members in Oregon and southwest Washington as well as dental care and coverage for more than 285,000 members.

Watson is a 32-year veteran of Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest, serving the region most recently as chief operating officer. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 1993 and has held a variety of leadership roles across the spectrum of operations, care delivery, and hospital administration, including vice president, Ambulatory Care and Clinical Services; senior director, Primary Care and Behavioral Health; senior director, Resource Stewardship; and Hospital Planning director.

"Throughout her distinguished career with Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest, Wendy has exemplified an unwavering commitment to our mission, driving operational and clinical improvements that enhance care and service for our members at every touchpoint," said Janet Liang, executive vice president, group president, and chief operating officer of care delivery for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals. "Her dedication to exceeding member expectations and ensuring high-quality care for total health is truly remarkable."

Watson holds a bachelor's degree in molecular biology and a master's degree in public health from Portland State University. She also completed an advanced fellowship with the Health Care Advisory Board in Washington, D.C., and an executive fellowship with the Baldrige Foundation.

She is a member of the board of directors for the Hospital Association of Oregon. Watson was named Executive of the Year by the Portland Business Journal in 2022 and has been honored with the Patriot Award by the U.S. Army for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

Contact:
Kathleen.C.Chambers@kp.org

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SOURCE Kaiser Permanente