Providing quality healthcare is our focus.

The following seals, logos and links represent the awards, accreditations and associations who endorse us as a quality healthcare provider. We are proud to offer the level of service they represent.

Accreditations & Awards – External

The Joint Commission

Joint Commission accreditation means that Watsonville Community Hospital has been objectively evaluated for organizational compliance to performance standards designed to inspire and improve quality and safety for those we serve. This accreditation is of utmost importance because we believe all people should experience safe, high quality, and consistently excellent health care. For more information, visit the Joint Commission.

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

The Leapfrog Group collects, analyzes, and publishes data on hospital safety and quality to promote transparency and help consumers make informed health care decisions. As a national watchdog organization, they assign a grade (A, B, C, D, or F) to hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. Watsonville Community Hospital received a “B” for the Fall 2024 reporting period for its commitment to reducing errors, infections, and accidents. Since the Pajaro Valley Health Care District was formed and took over operations of our hospital in September 2022, our Leapfrog grade has steadily improved. While we are very proud of this continuous improvement, we are confident that we will continue to do better and better for our community, every day. Our primary focus is and always will be to achieve the highest level of safety and quality care for our patients. Visit Leapfrog for more information.

Certified Baby-Friendly

Baby-Friendly designation means that Watsonville Community Hospital has gone through a rigorous review process and site visit with Baby-Friendly USA, an initiative created by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to encourage hospitals all over the world to promote health feeding choices for infants. It means supporting moms who wish to breastfeed is a high priority for us. We have designated RN lactation specialists, breastfeeding peer counselors and occupational therapists who all work to support new moms, both at the time of delivery and in a support group moms and dads can attend for free follwing the birth of their baby. More information can be found here.

California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Awards 

Recognizing hospitals for dedication and commitment to quality improvement.

Quality and Sustainability Award: NTSV Cesarean Birth Rate (PC-02) 

Awarded to hospitals that met and maintained the World Health Organization’s Healthy People 2030 target rates for Cesarean Birth (PC-02) measure for three consecutive years, 2021-2023. View certificate.

Maternal Data Center (MDC) Superstar Award: Small Birth Volume Hospitals

Awarded to hospitals with fewer than 1,000 annual births (we deliver over 800 babies every year) that exhibited high levels of engagement in the Maternal Data Center (MDC). View certificate.

Community Impact Award

Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation has been awarded the 2024 Silicon Valley Business Journal Community Impact Award!

Here’s our story.

This recognition is truly a reflection of the dedication and support of our entire community, working hand in hand to ensure access to critical healthcare services for local families. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future for our entire community. Click here for more information on our Foundation.

Awards – Internal

The Blue Star Award

The blue star is a symbol of hope & pride. As a new district non-profit hospital, and with the passage of the bond measure, there’s a lot to be hopeful about. This employee recognition program is about that hope and the pride we as employees take in the work we and our colleagues do on behalf of our community every day.

The Blue Star Award program recognizes employees who embody our Watsonville Community Hospital values: We put people first; We strive for excellence; We earn trust; and We are family. Each quarter, Blue Star Awards are be given in 2 distinct categories: the Patient & Family Advocate Award and the Team Player Award. Any employee, whether they work at the bedside or behind the scenes can win either award.

If you are or have been a patient, or a support person for a patient and wish to recognize the efforts of one of our employees, please consider nominating them for a Blue Star Award here.