Wendy Watson

Wendy Watson serves as president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest, leading integrated care and coverage across Oregon and Southwest Washington. She is responsible for aligning strategy and culture to deliver high‑quality, affordable care while advancing health equity and improving community health.

Watson began her career at Kaiser Permanente in the Northwest more than 30 years ago and has grown with the organization through progressive leadership roles across clinical and operational domains. That breadth of experience — from front-line support to executive leadership — gives her a deep understanding of the people, processes, and partnerships that drive performance and shape culture.

Today, she oversees care across 2 hospitals, more than 50 medical offices, and 20 dental offices, serving 610,414 members. In close partnership with Northwest Permanente and the Permanente Dental Group, she helps coordinate care centered on each person, making sure every experience reflects Kaiser Permanente’s focus on value-based care.

Under Watson’s leadership, Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest has earned national recognition from The Leapfrog Group, The Joint Commission, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, and U.S. News & World Report, including top ratings for cardiac care, cancer care, and maternity care. She is known for fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and connection — recognizing that exceptional patient outcomes begin with engaged and supported teams.

Recognized for her influence and impact, Watson has received multiple honors from the Portland Business Journal, including Executive of the Year in 2022 and inclusion in Women of Influence in 2021. She serves on the board of directors for the Hospital Association of Oregon, where she helps shape the future of health care in the region.

Watson holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and a master’s degree in public health from Portland State University. She also completed an advanced fellowship with the Health Care Advisory Board in Washington, D.C., and an executive fellowship with the Baldrige Foundation.