Our mission
Advancing health without compromise through service, scholarship, science and social responsibility.
Our mission
Our mission, vision and values
UW Health is part of a long tradition of excellence and innovation in the health sciences in both Illinois and Wisconsin.
Recognizing early a need for both healthcare education and patient care, we are proud to partner with the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Working together our physicians and researchers have pursued their fourfold mission with vision and vigor and have achieved numerous breakthroughs in medicine and health care. Their discoveries have helped extend the lives of people throughout the nation and the world.
UW Health through the years:
1918-with the leadership of Pehr August Peterson, SwedishAmerican Hospital opened in Rockford
1924-Wisconsin General Hospital opened in Madison
1925-A full four-year medical program was established at the University of Wisconsin
1979-University of Wisconsin Hospital is constructed
1995-Working with the City of Rockford, SwedishAmerican helped renovate and revitalize a neighborhood south of SwedishAmerican hospital
2006-SwedishAmerican Heart Hospital opened on the SwedishAmerican hospital campus
2007-American Family Children’s Hospital opened in Madison
2015-East Madison Hospital became the first new hospital to open in Madison since 1979
2015-SwedishAmerican Health System merged with UW Health
2021-SwedishAmerican Health System rebranded UW Health
Our mission, vision and values
As a healthcare organization, we exist for only one reason: Our patients and their families. They are at the center of our work and our mission, values and our vision of remarkable healthcare reflect our promise to them.
Our vision
Remarkable healthcare.
Our values
Excellence
Innovation
Compassion
Integrity
Respect
Accountability
Diversity
Our health system
Where serious conditions meet successful treatment
UW Health is the integrated health system of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, caring for more than 700,000 patients each year with 1,849 employed physicians and 21,000 employees at seven hospitals and more than 80 clinic locations.
UW Health cares for more than 720,000 patients each year with 1,849 employed physicians and 22,000 employees at seven hospitals and more than 80 clinic locations.
Governed by the UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority in Wisconsin they partner with the UW School of Medicine and Public Health to fulfill its patient care, research, education and community services missions.
In 2015, SwedishAmerican, a community health system based in Rockford, Ill., became part of UW Health and in 2021, the UW Health brand was introduced and began rolling out across Northern Illinois. Providers in Illinois engage in education, clinical care and community service missions in partnership with the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
Facts and figures — FY21 (pdf)
Our health system
UW Health is a nationally recognized health system that includes:
University Hospital
A 505-bed regional referral center that is home to a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center, American College of Surgeons-verified Burn Center, one of the nation's largest organ transplant programs, one of the nation's first certified comprehensive stroke centers and the UW Carbone Cancer Center, one of 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive centers in the country.
East Madison Hospital
A 56-bed, community-based health and wellness facility.
American Family Children's Hospital
A 111-bed comprehensive pediatric medical and surgical center with pediatric and neonatal surgical intensive care units, Level I pediatric trauma unit, verified Burn Center and a pediatric hybrid catheterization/angiography suite.
UnityPoint Health-Meriter
This 448-bed community-based hospital provides a complete range of medical and surgical services. UnityPoint Health-Meriter joined UW Health in 2017.
Rehabilitation Hospital
A 50-bed acute inpatient rehabilitation facility for people who have experienced stroke, brain and spinal-cord injuries, amputations, complex orthopedic injuries and other conditions requiring inpatient rehabilitative services.
SwedishAmerican Hospital
Serving greater Rockford, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, SwedishAmerican features a major 339-bed acute care hospital and free-standing outpatient cancer center in Rockford, a medical center in Belvidere, a network of 30 primary care and multi-specialty clinics and the region’s largest home healthcare agency. Learn more
Belvidere Medical Center
An inpatient/outpatient medical center with 34 beds in Belvidere, Ill.
Regional cancer centers
Beloit Hospital (Beloit, Wis.)
SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center (Rockford, Ill.)
UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Care (Pewaukee, Wis.)
UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek (Johnson Creek, Wis.)
UW Cancer Center Aspirus Riverview Hospital (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.)
UW Medical Foundation
The state’s second-largest medical practice group, representing the 1,785 clinical faculty physicians of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
Quartz Health Solutions, Inc.
A subsidiary health insurance provider with more than 350,000 members in a 35-county region in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa.
University Health Care
A not-for-profit membership corporation that facilitates clinical and contracting relationships with insurance companies and regional providers.
UW Health joint ventures
Generations Fertility Care
Madison Surgery Center
Transformations Surgery Center
UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek
UW Health Care Direct
Wisconsin Sleep
Awards
National recognition and awards
UW Health is recognized as one of the most progressive and prominent medical centers in the country. The quality of our work is often recognized by influential organizations and media institutions.
11 years runningNo. 1 in Wisconsin - U.S. News & World Report
Healthcare equalityLeader in LGBTQ+ healthcare equality
Leading in health care"Top 100 Global," according to Newsweek
Leadership and outreach
A commitment to quality and equitable health care
Executive leadership
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our vision is to be a leader in dismantling racism in ourselves, in our system and in our community.
Population Health
Health is not just driven by clinical care, but also by where you live, work, play and learn.
Additional information
More information to assist you
About UW HealthCorporate governance
Information about UW Hospital and Clinics Authority Board, UW Health Swedish American Board of Directors and UWMF Board of Directors, including meeting schedules.
UW Health vendorsInformation and resources for vendors
UW Health is responsible for ensuring that vendor personnel register and pay necessary registration fees, and issues identification badges to vendor representatives.