Originally founded in 1988 to provide an independent review of a Community Health Information Management System, the Seattle-based Foundation has led dozens of evaluations ranging from use of comparison quality standards by consumers to supporting public health agencies in the surveillance of sudden health risks.
Our History
Reflecting on the people and partner organizations who established and have sustained us for 22 years. Based mainly on interviews of former and currently involved Foundation staff and board directors as well as outside collaborating community members, this story attempts to measure the Foundation’s value to the community.
Emphasis is paid to the legislative, regulatory and social context of the times as well as key organizational success factors in describing the Foundation’s inception through its current state. This history is dedicated to all the community members who have helped shape and carry out the vision of creating a cooperative safe table for matters relating to health care quality in Washington State.
The Foundation recently completed a more detailed history of the organization
Governance
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of individuals with significant expertise in understanding issues important to patients, physicians, employees, insurance plans, health policy analysts, hospitals, and government agencies.
Day-to-day activities, program management, and planning of conferences, forums, and statewide meetings are conducted by a diverse team of staff members.
Funding
The Foundation funds its activities through contracts, grants, and program memberships and fees.