Kaiser Permanente is an organization that continually works to elevate the state of health care with progressive products, services and advancements. Our vision of the future remains focused on improving the health of our members and the communities we serve.

Kaiser Permanente (KP) is the largest nonprofit health care organization in the United States, serving approximately 8.2 million people in nine states and the District of Columbia, thanks to the dedication of some 147,000 employees and physicians. In a single year we schedule more than 32 million outpatient visits, deliver 90,000 babies, perform 431,000 surgeries, and fill about 109 million prescriptions.

The KP membership is a microcosm of the diversity of our nation and our world, representing over 130 different languages and an equally broad range of beliefs, values, traditions, and behaviors. To serve this diverse membership, a series of initiatives related to training, certification, research, tools development, and coalition formation with institutions outside of Kaiser Permanente, are being implemented.

Kaiser Permanente’s language access and services initiatives reveal a systems approach to the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate care and services that takes into consideration the member/patient’s entire care experience. Our award winning programs include language specific modules, dedicated interpreter services, qualified bilingual staff model, cross-cultural publications, Health Care Interpreter Certificate Program, and a comprehensive research agenda focusing on quality outcomes evaluation and improvements. The success of these initiatives is dependent upon a diverse work force embodying the cultural and linguistic expertise that is indispensable to serving our diverse membership and communities.