Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of its  members and the communities it serves. In March, Kaiser Permanente was again named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, an independent group that monitors business ethics.

This is the fifth year in a row that Kaiser Permanente has received the distinction. The organization has received this recognition every year that it has participated in the selection process. Kaiser Permanente is one of 135 honorees in 19 countries. In addition, Kaiser Permanente is one of only two organizations recognized in the Integrated Healthcare System category for 2023.

"Achieving this designation for a fifth consecutive year is an outstanding achievement," according to Shakeya A. McDow, interim Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer for Kaiser Permanente. "Being named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies underscores that all of our employees, physicians, and dentists share the belief that ethics and compliance is everyone's responsibility."

Companies that receive the World's Most Ethical Company designation work to improve their communities. They also foster and grow empowered employees while modeling a workplace where ethics and a strong sense of purpose lead the way, according to Kaiser officials. "At Kaiser Permanente we strive to create a consistent environment where everyone's voice is respected, and we act in alignment with our shared values," notes McDow. "Our commitment to maintaining a strong ethical culture is a competitive differentiator and enables us to achieve our mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve."

"Ethics matters. Organizations that commit to business integrity through robust programs and practices not only elevate standards and expectations for all, but also have better long-term performance," according to Ethisphere CEO Erica Salmon Byrne. "We continue to be inspired by the World's Most Ethical Companies honorees and their dedication to making a real impact for their stakeholders and displaying exemplary values-based leadership. Congratulations to Kaiser Permanente for earning a place in the World's Most Ethical Companies community."

Honorees are scored based on an evaluation of their ethics and compliance program, culture of ethics, corporate citizenship and responsibility, governance, leadership, and reputation. "I want to thank all of our 240,000 employees and physicians," McDow said when the organization was named as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. "Despite the unprecedented challenges health care has faced the past three years, they continue to uphold high ethical standards when it comes to caring for our patients and each other."

As of March, the organization served 12.6 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Kaiser Permanente became a Hacienda tenant in 1997. Its expert medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management, according to executives. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.

For more information about Kaiser Permanente, please visit www.healthy.kaiserpermanente.org.