UW Health serves over 950,000 patients per year, and employs over 24,000 employees across seven hospitals, 4 medical centers, 90+ clinics/specialty clinics, 3 urgent cares, 4 behavioral health centers and 1 community service center., making it the second-largest employer in Madison (after UW–Madison) and in Wisconsin.[4][7]
UW Health University Hospital is home to a helipad that serves UW Med Flight, the hospital's air ambulance and ground ambulance service. UW hosts 11 Helicopters for Air Medflight and is partnered with MidWest Motion for Ground Ambulance Services with 17 ambulances.
History
UW Hospital and Clinics was established by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1924. Originally named Wisconsin General Hospital, the facility's first location was at 1300 University Avenue. In 1979,[9] it moved to a new facility at 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin, and the original building was converted for use by the university as classrooms. Formerly part of the University of Wisconsin System, UW Hospital and Clinics was reorganized as a public authority, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Authority (UWHCA), on June 29, 1996.[10] Since May 2016, UWHC's current CEO has been Alan Kaplan, MD.[11]
The hospital and clinics are directed by statute to:
"maintain, control and supervise the use of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, for the purposes of:
Delivering comprehensive, high−quality health care to patients using the hospitals and to those seeking care from its programs, including a commitment to provide such care for the medically indigent.
Providing an environment suitable for instructing medical and other health professions students, physicians, nurses and members of other health−related disciplines.
Sponsoring and supporting research in the delivery of health care to further the welfare of the patients treated and applying the advances in health knowledge to alleviate human suffering, promote health and prevent disease.
Assisting health programs and personnel throughout the state and region in the delivery of health care."[12]
Hospitals & Clinics
University Hospital
UW Health's flagship Trauma Center, University Hospital, is located in downtown Madison and is a teaching hospital with 611 and a Level I Trauma and Emergency Center. University Hospital was ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the 16th best hospital in the United States and the #1 hospital in Wisconsin in the publication's 2021-2022 Best Hospitals Honor Roll, earning national rankings in 10 adult and 6 pediatric specialties. Additionally, UW Health University Hospital was ranked as the 22nd best hospital in the United States and #84th Best Hospitals in the world by Newsweek in 2022.
American Family Children's Hospital
American Family Children's Hospital (AFCH) is a pediatric acute care hospital located adjacent to UW Health University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. The hospital has 101 beds[13] and is affiliated with The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.[14] The hospital is a member of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21[15] throughout Wisconsin and surrounding states. American Family Children's Hospital features the only pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in the region, and 1 of 2 in the state.[16]
UW Health opened the American Family Children's Hospital on August 29, 2007. The $78 million facility was funded by $41 million in private donations, which included $10 million contributed by American Family Insurance, and $37 million in bonds.[17]
UW Health East Madison Hospital (EMH)
UW Health also operates UW Health East Madison Hospital, located in the American Center business park on the northeast side of Madison. The hospital includes 83 beds and an emergency room with a rating of Level 4 Trauma Center. The campus also includes the UW Health Rehabilitation Hospital, and 0.5 miles away and the UW Health East Clinic.[18] On April 12, 2022, UW Health announced that The American Center Hospital would be renamed to "UW Health East Madison Hospital".[19]
UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital (SwedishAmerican Hospital)
TBA
UW Health Eastpark Medical Center
TBA
UW Health Belvidere Hospital
TBA
Personnel
As of 2023, UW Health employed approximately 24,000+ employees throughout all of its hospitals, clinics and supportive centers. 1,850+ Physicians (MD's and DO's), 1,000+ Advanced Practice Provider, 5,650+ Registered Nurses, 1,340+ Nursing Assistants/Techs, and 730+ Resident and Fellows.
Recognition
In 2022, UW Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) was named the top hospital in Wisconsin by U.S. News & World Report for the eleventh consecutive year.
UW Hospital and Clinics ranked among the top five academic health centers nationwide in a University HealthSystem Consortium benchmarking study of safety, mortality, clinical effectiveness and equity in delivering care, 2008.[21]
UW Hospital and Clinics ranked among the top 50 in the nation in 15 medical specialties in the most recent (2016) U.S. News & World Report hospital ranking.[22] Additionally, the American Family Children's Hospital was ranked among the top 50 in the nation in five medical specialties in the same report.”[22]
UW Hospital and Clinics named among "100 Best Companies" in the nation by Working Mother magazine in 2007 and 2008.[23]
The Hospital and Clinics' Heart and Vascular Care program listed among top 100 hospital programs in the Thomson Reuters Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success, 2004–2008.[24]
In 2023,
Recognized by Newsweek and Statista as one of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals
U.S. News & Word Report’s Best Hospitals: #1 hospital in Wisconsin for the 11th year, 5 specialties ranked among the best in the nation and 5 specialties ranked as high performing
Practice Greenhealth: 2 national awards for Achievements in Sustainability
Human Rights Campaign Foundation: Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality
Watson Health: One of the Nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals
Becker’s Hospital Review: 100 Great Hospitals in America
Magnet®-designated facilities: University Hospital, East Madison Hospital, American Family Children’s Hospital, SwedishAmerican Hospital