Where Compassion, Excellence, and Innovation Come Together
Kaweah Health is more than a hospital—it’s a mission-driven healthcare system serving as the primary lifeline for more than 600,000 residents across Tulare and Kings Counties. As the largest medical facility in the region, Kaweah Health balances high-level clinical capabilities with the heart of a community institution, committed to health equity and continuous improvement.
Mission, Vision, and Core Pillars
Kaweah Health is grounded in a clear purpose and bold aspiration:
Mission: Health is our passion. Excellence is our focus. Compassion is our promise.
Vision: To be your world-class healthcare choice, for life.
Pillars: Achieve outstanding community health, deliver excellent service, provide an ideal work environment, empower through education, and maintain financial strength.
These principles shape daily practice and strategic planning, ensuring a culture of accountability, integrity, and purpose at every level.
Comprehensive Facility Profile
Kaweah Health is the only hospital in Visalia, a city of over 130,000 people, and with its 581 registered acute care beds, it is the largest in Tulare County. The county itself has a population exceeding 440,000 and experienced a 20% population increase between 2000 and 2010.
This full-service hospital sees nearly 30,000 admissions and more than 5,000 deliveries annually, with an average daily census exceeding 400 patients. Surgical volume surpasses 14,000 cases per year—including over 4,000 inpatient surgeries—and approximately 8,000 endoscopies take place each year in the hospital’s dedicated suite. Kaweah Health operates the only trauma center in Tulare and Kings counties.
14 total operating rooms, including 3 with advanced physiologic monitoring and 2 trauma-specific ORs (added in 2017)
State-of-the-art hybrid OR for endovascular procedures
Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system (acquired in 2020), with a training console supporting resident surgical skills development
Emergency Department sees over 90,000 patients annually, including more than 1,000 trauma activations
Academic Mission in a Community Setting
Kaweah Health is home to a vibrant Graduate Medical Education community with six ACGME-accredited residency programs: Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, General Surgery, and a Transitional Year program.
Primary teaching site for all GME programs
Simulation labs, didactic space, and administrative support for program directors
Educational innovation encouraged, with leadership opportunities for faculty
Affiliations with USC, UC Irvine, and Valley Children’s Hospital
Commitment to Quality & Transparency
Kaweah Health embraces a philosophy of full transparency and relentless improvement.
Publicly shares performance data, infection rates, and experience metrics
Outperforms the California average in doctor and nurse communication, timely assistance, and patient recommendation scores
Rated highly by patients for discharge information and overall satisfaction
Patient Safety as a Daily Priority
Patient safety is at the heart of Kaweah’s operational model. Staff are encouraged to speak up, identify risk, and drive change.
CUSP teams meet monthly to address frontline safety concerns
D.U.D.E. Program promotes consistent hand hygiene
Good Catch Award recognizes staff who prevent errors
TeamSTEPPS tools and shift huddles support real-time safety
Falls Prevention Program maintains below-average patient fall rates
Innovation in Safety and Systems
All staff trained in fall risk recognition (SPLAT acronym)
Participation in National Patient Safety Goals
Real-time hand hygiene monitoring
Provider-patient partnership agreements for safety
Integrated with Community and Region
Affiliations with USC, UC Irvine, Valley Children’s, and Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute
Focused on serving an underserved population with dignity
Strong community pride reflected in both staff and patient loyalty
Kaweah Health isn’t just where you practice medicine—it’s where you make a difference. With transparent leadership, a deeply ingrained culture of safety, and a drive for improvement, Kaweah empowers physicians to deliver care with integrity, compassion, and impact.