Updated: EvergreenHealth Negotiating Contract With United Healthcare

EvergreenHealth community-owned hospital

Evergreen is working with United to come to an agreement for a new contract by February 28. I will update you when the time comes. by

EvergreenHealth is the largest public hospital in the State of Washington. It is community-owned and remains independent of the large hospital chains. Currently,  EvergreenHealth is negotiating a new contract with United Healthcare. Their current contract with United expires on March 1, 2026. However, they are working with United to come to an agreement for a new contract by February 28. Read FAQ   

Dr. Etorre Palazzo is CEO.  He's a great guy, warm and accessible, especially during their public meetings. Here's a short clip of Etoree (1.5 min) explaining Evergreen's attributes and mission in our community. He's done much to enlarge their capacity of services, including mental health treatment in primary care clinics and emergency departments.

And, very special to me, my daughter was born here many years ago!

-- Bob Yoder, 2/20/2026

Unitited Health Care Resumes Insurance Coverage

Currently, Evergreen is negotiating with UnitedHealthcare for continuance of their insurance.  This is very common for all hospitals.  Almost always there's  resolution and services aren't disrupted.  

-- Bob Yoder, 1/25/2026

EvergreenHealth Executives Serve On Regional Advisory Boards

 

Four EvergreenHealth administrators served on health care and economic boards in 2025

 

Kirkland, Wash.—Last year, four of EvergreenHealth’s administration team were invited to serve on advisory boards throughout the region. These health system leaders give their time, skills and insight to organizations involved in health care and economic development across the state.

 

Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, EvergreenHealth CEO, was elected to the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) Board of Directors effective January 2025, having previously served as the Chair of the Clinical Excellence Committee from 2023 to 2024. He also sits on the board of the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the Steering Committee for the Washington Department of Health Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care.

 

Dr. Palazzo joined EvergreenHealth in 2003 as a hospitalist, and he held various roles before becoming CEO in December 2023. He is responsible for the leadership of all aspects of EvergreenHealth's purpose, mission and vision.

 

Christopher Bredeson, MBA, FACHE, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer, has been invited to sit on the boards of Washington Hospital Services (WHS), the Washington Health Alliance (WHA)—both statewide
de organizations focused on quality and value in health care delivery—and OneRedmond, a public-private economic development partnership.

 

Bredeson has held positions in health care leadership and community advocacy for more than three decades. In his role at EvergreenHealth, he supervises all facets of health system operations and planning.

 

Jessika Groce, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, Chief Human Resources Officer, was appointed to the Cascadia College Foundation Board effective July 1. The Cascadia College Foundation plays a crucial role in offering scholarships and grants to students needing financial support also backing key college initiatives. The board works to support the college’s mission of delivering accessible, equitable and superior educational experiences to inspire every person to achieve their educational and career goals.

EvergreenHealth Teaching Physician Assistant Students

 

EvergreenHealth Partners with Northwest University To Help Teach Physician Assistant Students

Students receive hands-on experience while also supporting community’s need for more health care professionals

 

KIRKLAND, WA—EvergreenHealth and Northwest University’s School of PA Medicine have partnered to help students complete their degree and give them an opportunity to jumpstart their careers as physician assistants. This partnership is another example of how the two Kirkland-based organizations have collaborated to support health care professionals and the community’s health and wellness.

 

“EvergreenHealth has faithfully partnered with our health professions programs at Northwest University for two decades, first welcoming nursing students into their facilities to train, and now, our PA students,” said Northwest University School of PA Medicine Dean Heather Deibler, PA-C. “Many of our NU nurses went on to careers at EvergreenHealth, and we look forward to the day when our PA graduates serve there as clinicians. We sincerely appreciate EvergreenHealth’s commitment to help equip the next generation of health care professionals who will serve this community and Washington state for years to come.”

Puget Sound Journal Honors EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo

 

EvergreenHealth CEO Dr. Ettore Palazzo on right/ credit Anthony Bolante, PSBJ

Last night, Puget Sound Business Journal (PSB) hosted a private Power 100 reception to honor the Puget Sound's most influential people who are making news, getting things done behind the scenes, or using their wealth and power for the betterment of their communities. These honorees, including Dr. Palazzo, were brought together for a celebratory evening to applaud their accomplishments and connect with other impactful businesspeople in the region.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us recognize incredible leaders:
• Founding Sponsor: Bank of America
• Presenting Sponsor: Arnold & Porter
• Platinum Sponsor: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
• Signature Sponsor: Alaska Airlines
• Cocktail Sponsor: Washington State University
• Bronze Sponsors: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound & Laird Norton Wetherby

-- December, 2025

EvergreenHealth and Seattle Children's Enter Affiliation For Neonatal and Specialty Care

 

Chris Bredeson, EvergreenHealth chief operating and strategy officer, left, and Jamie Phillips, president and chief operating officer at Seattle Children's, are seen July 1 at the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the launch of Neonatal & Pediatric Specialty Care Services at EvergreenHealth Medical Center.

Kirkland-based EvergreenHealth and Seattle Children’s have entered into a strategic affiliation for neonatal and pediatric specialty care services that will allow Eastside families to get specialized inpatient care from Seattle Children’s doctors at Evergreen’s Kirkland hospital, the parties announced today.

The affiliation took effect July 1, 2025 starting with pediatric cardiologists, neurologists, and general surgeons from Seattle Children’s, according to Chris Bredeson, EvergreenHealth's chief operating and strategy officer. More pediatric specialty services will be added over time, he said in an interview.

“It means a lot for patients to be able to have care in their community — and so we have a big initiative around improving access for people on the Eastside; and in the pediatric area, that's something we've heard from people over and over again that they don't like driving across the bridge to Seattle for all the reasons you can imagine,” Bredeson said. “They want to stay in the community, and so we're going to do everything we can to have as many babies stay as possible ... if they come through the emergency department, go to our pediatric unit, or if they're born at Evergreen.”

425 Business, 7/7/25

EvergreenHealth Executives Meet with State Legislators

 

EvergreenHealthEvergreenHealth18,052 followers18,052 followers3d • Edited • 3 days ago • Edited • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD:  "In November, we welcomed several state legislators to our Kirkland campus as they prepare for the upcoming session in Olympia!🎈 (Larry Springer was one.)

These visits allowed us to share our role as a public hospital district, highlight our services, and discuss community investments.

Like many hospitals across Washington, EvergreenHealth faces significant financial challenges due to recent state and federal policy changes. We appreciate the opportunity to engage with our elected leaders on these issues and are grateful for their continued support and commitment to quality care."

Pictured: 48th LD Representative Osman Salahuddin, CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, Director of Women's & Children's Services Tessie (Hughes) Foley, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer Chris Bredeson, MBA, FACHE,  and Chief Financial Officer William Howe

[EvergreenHealth is now partnering with Children's Hospital of Seattle to facilitate and expand care on the Eastside.] by

UPDATED 11/16: King County Election Outcomes Affecting Redmond

credit KIRO

STATE 148th LD  

Osman Salahuddin 10,974,   68.24%

Dennis Ellis              5,078,   31.58%

KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE 

C. Zahilly    133,804,    51%  Winner

C. Balducci 129,459,    49%

KING COUNTY REPRESTATIVE

Sarah Perry     21,438, 66.8%

Bob Wotton    10,545, 32.9%

REDMOND CITY COUNCIL

Melissa Stuart  4,431,  75%

Kay Asai          2,796,   25%

REDMOND CITY COUNCIL

Vivek Prakriya 3,971,  62%

Steve Fields     2,405,  38%

REDMOND CITY COUNCIL

Menka Soni                  7,590, 56.82%

Jeralee Anderson          5,679, 42,52%

LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT DIRECTOR #4

Aspen Richter, 19,408,  72.99%

Kim Martin,       7,092,  26.58%

EVERGREEN HEALTH HOSPITAL COMMISSIONER #5

Robin Campbell     54,680,  73,65%

Gary Harris            18,936,   25.75%

Candidate names in red are projected winners.  Votes are counted every day with results posted on the King County Elections website at 4:30 p.m.  

ADHD Awareness Month

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month

The many faces of ADHD

Do you know that one third of children with ADHD develop Adult ADHD?  

Video on teen ADHD (with brief information on Tourette's tics)  4 m. 

Data and Stats on ADHD - Center for Disease Control.

NAMI Eastside webinar on ADHD, sponsored by EvergreenHealth, 1 hour.

-- Reported by Bob Yoder, 10/31/2025  

EvergreenHealth Commission Educational Session

 MINUTES:  

EvergreenHealth Educational Session meeting, August 1, 2025, 7 AM 

Present:  CEO, Commissioners, Staff

• Plymouth Housing - the model, performance, the intent
• UW Clinical professor discusses problems with the U.S. Healthcare systems compared to other countries. 
• Levy lid lift benefits. 

Meetings are held in the Surgeons and Physicians Pavilion #Tan 250 and are open to the public. 

-- Bob Yoder, 10/26/25

EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo Connects With Sammamish City Council

EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, presented the "State of Healthcare" to the City of Sammamish Council on October 14th, answering several questions from Mayor Karen Howe and council members. Premi

Chief Executive Officer3 days ago • Edited • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

"It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the Superintendent and CEO of EvergreenHealth. One of the aspects I enjoy most about the role is the opportunity to connect with the many cities and municipalities within the public hospital district.

Thank you to the City of Sammamish Council for the opportunity to provide an update on EvergreenHealth and to share insights on the ever-evolving healthcare landscape."

“We look forward to partnering with you to continuously improve our shared community of care. EvergreenHealth is proud to serve Sammamish & the entire Eastside community with high quality healthcare,” said Dr. Palazzo.

-- LinkedIn, 10/20/25