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Our history

Since 1945 we’ve been leading the way with innovative approaches to health care. Explore how one pioneering idea born from the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II evolved into decades of bold ideas that continue to enable more healthy years.

75 years of groundbreaking moments

This year, Kaiser Permanente turns 75. Learn more about our rich history of doing more for our members and communities.

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Our evolution

We started as a health care program for shipyard and steel mill workers. Discover how our integrated approach to health care has made us one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans.

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More about our history

Book cover: 'The Story of Dr. Sidney R. Garfield — The Visionary Who Turned Sick Care into Health Care' with color illustration of Dr. Garfield.
July 30, 2020
Books and publications about our history
Interested in learning more about the history of Kaiser Permanente and …
hands of a medical professional on the keyboard of a laptop
July 21, 2020
Pandemic pushes our virtual, connected care to new heights
Cynthia Engel is thankful for her first telehealth experience. During Kaiser …
Male Asian American Kaiser Permanente physican talking to a cute baby girl dressed in pink while her mother gestures in the background.
July 21, 2020
Transcending language barriers in health care for decades
Good communication is key to good health. During Kaiser Permanente’s 75th …
Kaiser Permanente member Bill Walsh
July 21, 2020
Diagnostic and preventive care is in our DNA
A routine screening helped detect Bill Walsh’s cancer before it became …
upturned hand holding pills
July 21, 2020
A proactive approach to addressing the opioid epidemic
Timothy C. is grateful for his doctor’s help in treating his opioid use …
people seated inside a classroom facing the front of the room
May 18, 2020
Nurses step up in crises
Kaiser Permanente nurses have been saving lives on the front lines since …
Medical specialist handling oxygen therapy equipment
November 8, 2019
Swords into stethoscopes — veterans in health professions
Kaiser Permanente has actively hired veterans in all capacities since World …
Photo of a group of men seated and standing at a long table
August 28, 2019
When labor and management work side by side
From war-era labor-management committees to today’s unit-based teams, cooperat …
Newspaper article describing Edgar Kaiser’s plans for affordable housing, September 15, 1968.
August 7, 2019
Our long commitment to affordable housing
Henry J. Kaiser and his construction industries sought to create a safe …
Disc Jockey Pete Taylor in KFOG studio
August 2, 2019
Thriving with 1960s-launched KFOG radio
The "Baby in the Drawer" hospital room from 1953
July 31, 2019
‘Baby in the drawer’ helped turn the tide for breastfeeding
This innovation in rooming-in allowed newborns to stay close to mothers …
2013 San Francisco Pride march, with Jim Best (foreground) and Gregory A. Adams (Executive Vice President and Group President, on float); photo by Ces Rosales
June 5, 2019
Breaking LGBT barriers for Kaiser Permanente employees
“We managed to ultimately break through that barrier.” — Kaiser Permanente …
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