Washington Health

03/12/2026

Hip replacement surgery continues to advance with new innovations that deliver faster recovery, safer outcomes and same-day discharge for many patients. Washington Health orthopedic surgeon Alexander Sah, MD, will present “Faster, Safer, Home Sooner after Hip Replacement: New Technologies for Same-Day Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery” on Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m., highlighting advances in the anterior approach and surgical technology. Watch the presentation on YouTube.

https://www.washingtonhealth.com/news/2026/march/faster-safer-home-sooner-after-hip-replacement/

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.

Hip replacement surgery is one of medicine’s most successful procedures. Today, new innovations are making it even better, yielding faster recoveries, safer outcomes and same-day discharge for most patients. At the forefront of this evolution is the anterior approach to hip replacement, a muscle-s...

03/12/2026

Pregnancy and parenthood bring big changes physically and emotionally. Washington Health psychiatrist Suselina Acosta-Goldstein, MD, will present “When It’s More than Baby Blues: Managing Peripartum Depression and Anxiety” on Saturday, April 4 at 10 a.m., discussing how to recognize and manage depression and anxiety that can occur before and after childbirth. Watch the presentation on YouTube.

https://www.washingtonhealth.com/news/2026/march/when-it-s-more-than-baby-blues-/

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.

Pregnancy and parenthood bring big changes — not just physically, but emotionally, too. Washington Health psychiatrist Suselina Acosta-Goldstein, MD, notes that anxiety or depression during the weeks and months before and after childbirth are often described with soft, minimizing language such as:...

03/11/2026

Washington Health recently reached an exciting milestone in heart care with the successful completion of a transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) using the EVOQUE valve system.

This innovative, minimally invasive procedure replaces a severely damaged tricuspid valve through a small catheter inserted in a vein in the leg — helping patients avoid traditional open-heart surgery. TTVR offers new hope for people living with severe tricuspid regurgitation, especially those who may be at higher risk for surgery or previously had limited treatment options.

The procedure was performed by interventional cardiologist Dr. Harsh Agrawal, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Teng Lee, and cardiologist Dr. Sangeetha Balakrishnan, with the support of the Washington Health Structural Heart and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Teams.

This achievement expands the advanced structural heart treatments available at Washington Health and highlights the continued growth of its comprehensive valve program — bringing cutting-edge care closer to our community.

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.

03/11/2026

Washington Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Harsh Agrawal, interventional radiologist Dr. Ankur Doshi, and cardiologist Dr. Sangeetha Balakrishnan, along with the Structural Heart Cath Lab team, successfully removed a large right atrial clot using the AlphaVac F18 LMR system in a patient who was not a surgical candidate.

What made this case particularly complex was the size and location of the clot, which was prolapsing through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle and causing dynamic right ventricular obstruction. The procedure required advanced imaging guidance and close collaboration between interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, cardiac anesthesia, and the structural heart team.

Using the minimally invasive AlphaVac system, the team was able to safely remove the clot through a vein avoiding open-heart surgery. The patient experienced rapid symptom relief and was discharged home the following day.

This case marks the first use of the AlphaVac F18 LMR system in California and highlights Washington Health’s continued leadership in delivering advanced, multidisciplinary cardiovascular care close to home.

03/10/2026

Washington Health is proud to receive the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, placing us among the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety. The recognition reflects Washington Health’s commitment to safe, patient-centered care and achieving better clinical outcomes for the community. Our physicians, nurses and care teams remain dedicated to delivering the highest standards of safe, compassionate care at every step of the patient journey.

https://www.washingtonhealth.com/news/2026/march/washington-health-achieves-healthgrades-patient-/

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.

03/09/2026

Congratulations to Elizabeth “Beth” Padilla, Senior Laboratory Assistant, our March Employee of the Month. For 25 years, Beth has helped keep the lab running smoothly through her leadership, organizational skills, and dedication to timely, high-quality patient care while mentoring her team and supporting patients with compassion. Her commitment, leadership, and dedication to patient care inspire her colleagues.

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.

03/09/2026

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and regular exercise plays an important role in reducing risk. To promote heart health, we partnered with the City of Union City and the City of Newark to host the Heart Smart Walking Challenge. This “walk while you learn” program encourages heart-healthy habits through monthly one-mile walks with Washington Health clinicians, who lead brief health discussions followed by opportunities for participants to log their steps and earn prizes.

For more information visit newarkca.gov/heartsmart

Register today at unioncity.org/reg

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.








City of Union City, California
City of Newark, CA Government

03/08/2026

Meet Brandi Cooper, Patient Care Coordinator. Brandi plays an important role in supporting patients by bringing empathy, understanding and encouragement to every interaction.

“Being a woman in health care means I am a key part of the patient care experience, providing empathy and support to every patient,” Brandi shares. “To the next generation: prioritize patient-centered care, embrace humanity and let compassion shine.”

Thank you, Brandi, for the compassion and support you bring to our patients and team!

03/07/2026

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re proud to highlight the women whose dedication and compassion help make Washington Health a place where patient-centered care is delivered every day.

Meet Juanita Lopez, Patient Access Representative in our Outpatient Lab. Juanita brings warmth, compassion and a deep commitment to patient care with every interaction.

“I love my job, my patients and the people I work with – this place truly feels like home,” Juanita shares. “My advice to the next generation is to be strong, stay compassionate, and use your unique strengths to pursue a deeper purpose that uplifts others and makes a lasting impact.”

Thank you, Juanita, for the heart and dedication you bring to our patients and team each day.

03/07/2026

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting some of the many women who make Washington Health a place where excellence is the standard and patient-centered care is delivered with integrity, compassion and respect. Throughout the month, we’ll share stories of women across our health system who play vital roles in supporting patients, families and colleagues every day.

These inspiring women remind us that compassionate care starts with the people who bring heart, dedication and expertise to everything they do.

03/06/2026

Nawang Lama, BNS, RN, Staff Nurse II on 5 West, is our latest DAISY Award recipient, recognized for her extraordinary contribution to patient care. Patients and families consistently describe her as kind, attentive, and an advocate who ensures they feel safe, comfortable, and heard. Her compassion, communication, and dedication to patient safety embodies the true spirit of the DAISY Award and the highest standards of nursing excellence. You are the reason our patients feel cared for. Congratulations, Nawang!

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.

03/04/2026

Washington Health was recently named the best company to work for in Fremont by Zippia and Instawork, recognized for work-life balance, career progression, workplace culture, and employee diversity. That commitment to our employees was on full display at our annual employee recognition event, where we honored milestone work anniversaries and celebrated team members who make safe, compassionate, patient-centered care possible every day. We’re proud of the family atmosphere that continues to define Washington Health.

https://www.washingtonhealth.com/news/2026/march/loyalty-abounds-at-fremont-s-top-employer/

Our reason is you.
Since 1958.

Washington Health is not only one of Fremont’s largest employers, it was recently named the best company to work for in Fremont by two employment agencies, Zippia in 2025 and Instawork in 2024. Rating criteria included factors like work-life balance, career progression, workplace culture, and empl...