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Seattle Children's Strategic Plan

Seattle Children’s is on an extraordinary journey to accelerate delivery of breakthrough outcomes in specialty care and improve the health of children in our region and around the world.

Driving us toward this envisioned future is Seattle Children’s strategic plan — a map and a beacon to guide us on our journey. With unwavering focus on our destination, we will journey through five “treks” that represent key focus areas within the strategic plan — each encompassing a commitment to progress and innovation.

Together with our workforce, community and the patients and families we serve, Seattle Children’s will forge a path to transformative change for the sake of children everywhere.

A map showing the five treks of Seattle Children's Strategic PlanJump to: Clinical Excellence | Life-Changing Research | Seamless Operations | Enhanced Partnerships | Sustainable Stewardship

The illustration above shows how the five treks are interconnected and work together to advance life-changing research and deliver excellent pediatric healthcare.

  We’re on a mission to transform the way Seattle Children’s operates by expanding access to care and becoming a renowned leader in child heath.

— Jeff Sperring, MD, CEO

The Five Treks


Clinical Excellence

Expand delivery of best-in-class care to patients throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond by intentionally investing in key service lines.

Seattle Children’s is enhancing patient care and research in areas where the need is highest, allowing us to serve more patients who rely on us.

A mother an daughter speak to two Seattle Children's providers

Clinical Excellence in Action

For many families with a child in a mental or behavioral health crisis, the only care option is the Emergency Department. Seattle Children’s Psychiatric Urgent Care will give many families a faster, more appropriate option for assessment and connection to follow-up care. This will be the first pediatric-focused psychiatric urgent care clinic in the Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho region.

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Life-Changing Research

Leverage our strengths and capabilities in research to deliver innovative patient care and pioneer breakthroughs in child health.

Seattle Children’s will accelerate the development of cures, increase access to treatments and expand research efforts to address a wider range of childhood diseases.

A scientist runs an experiment

Life-Changing Research in Action

Kids with lupus face a heightened risk of severe disease and poor long-term health outcomes. Seattle Children’s is offering new hope by launching the first clinical trial in the U.S. using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells to treat children suffering from lupus.

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Seamless Operations

Significantly improve internal operations to increase capability and capacity and accelerate expansion of service for an enriched patient experience.

By improving how Seattle Children’s operates, we will provide greater access to care at the right time and in the right place, leading to the best outcomes for our patients.

A Seattle Children's provider examines a patient

Seamless Operations in Action

Teams at Seattle Children’s performed more than 17,500 surgeries in 2023 and data tells us there are more patients and families waiting for surgery. Learn how teams are creating better access so patients get the right care at the right time.

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Enhanced Partnerships

Expand the breadth and health of our partnership network, in recognition of Seattle Children's unique contributions to children’s health and in support of broader strategic aspirations.

Seattle Children’s cannot and should not try to do everything ourselves — with the right partners we can accomplish more than we could on our own.

A woman checks in at a clinic's front desk

Enhanced Partnerships in Action

The youth mental and behavioral health crisis is complex and evolving. Seattle Children’s is building creative partnerships that lead to a more holistic approach to care, such as supporting the new state-run Lake Burien Transitional Care Facility in Washington state.

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Sustainable Stewardship

Together we advance a culture of increased financial excellence and accountability to accelerate investment in programs that make the greatest impact.

Wisely managing and investing Seattle Children’s resources builds the strong foundation necessary for us to continue providing hope, care and cures for generations to come.

A patient runs down a hallway as a Seattle Children's provider watches

Sustainable Stewardship in Action

Denials for infusion services have become increasingly common over the years as payors (like insurance companies and Medicaid) increase their authorization requirements. The Outpatient Infusion Project at Seattle Children’s is leading to a dramatic reduction in denials, meaning more patients are receiving their infusions quicker and with fewer challenges.

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Our Unwavering Commitments

At the heart of Seattle Children’s strategic plan are six “enablers” — foundational commitments that are essential to the success of the treks and the overall strategic plan.

Quality and safety

Seattle Children’s is committed to delivering unsurpassed quality to every patient, every time, so that every patient can experience the best possible outcome.

Health equity and anti-racism

Seattle Children’s is actively identifying, challenging and changing the culture, structures and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism by removing barriers and improving experience and access to quality and equitable healthcare.

Experience

Seattle Children’s aspires to be the organization of choice for patients and families as well as our broader community of volunteers, partners and collaborators. These vital relationships fuel our aspirations to enrich the diverse communities we serve.

People and culture

Strong and diverse teams are needed to lead through accelerated change, build and sustain operational excellence, and continue evolving our organizational culture built on our values.

Philanthropy

Loyal donors and volunteers drive Seattle Children’s ability to provide specialized care to all children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Their generosity accelerates excellent clinical care and fuels research discoveries that lead to new treatments and lifesaving therapies.

Technology

Technology is critical to delivering exceptional care and advancing research discoveries. Seattle Children’s cutting-edge tools enhance our ability to diagnose, treat and support children, ensuring the highest standards of excellence.

Bringing It All Together

Our mission, vision and values anchor our Strategic Plan. They express our core purpose and the promises we make every day to our patients and families, our team and our community.

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Contact Us

Have a question about Seattle Children’s strategic plan? Contact Transformation.Office@seattlechildrens.org.