Kaiser Permanente is named one of the most ethical companies

Kaiser Permanente announced on Monday that it is again one of the World's Most Ethical Companies, according to Ethisphere Institute, an independent group that monitors business ethics.

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.

“Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving access to care, having a diverse workforce reflective of our communities, and addressing the inequities, structural racism, and injustices that marginalize our most vulnerable populations,” said Diane Ott, vice president, ethics and compliance for Kaiser Permanente's Northern California region in a news release. “This recognition highlights our ongoing efforts to improve the health and well-being of our members, patients, and the communities we serve.”

Some of those efforts in Northern California include:

• Prioritizing communities that have endured decades of underinvestment. Kaiser Permanente is investing in programs that will close the racial wealth gap by creating economic opportunity for underrepresented communities and supporting programs that focus on addressing racism and trauma.

• In 2022, Kaiser Permanente awarded $1.6 million in grants to 20 Northern California agencies for child and family vaccination outreach in areas with lower vaccination rates and to ensure the equitable distribution of the vaccine across communities of color. It is part of a larger $12 million investment in vaccine equity the organization has made to date.

• It's invested in diverse small businesses and programs that provide quality jobs and prepare young people for college and careers. Kaiser has also increased our purchase of goods and services from businesses owned by women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups.

• Kaiser Permanente is partnering with homeless service providers, affordable housing organizations, researchers, homeless advocates, and city and county officials, working together to build a more robust and coordinated homeless response system to improve the health of our communities.

Kaiser Permanente is one of 135 honorees in 19 countries being recognized. In addition, Kaiser Permanente is one of only 2 organizations recognized in the Integrated Healthcare System category for 2023.

Honorees are scored based on an evaluation of their ethics and compliance program, culture of ethics, corporate citizenship and responsibility, governance, and leadership and reputation.

“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,” said Ethisphere CEO, Erica Salmon Byrne in the same news release. “We continue to be inspired by the World's Most Ethical Companies honorees and their dedication to making real impact for their stakeholders and displaying exemplary values-based leadership.”