Reimagination, future transformation of care delivery across central Puget Sound will enhance health system’s ability to continue its mission of community support over the next century
SEATTLE, Sept. 3, 2025 — Providence Swedish – like many health care organizations across the country – continues to face significant financial challenges, including inadequate reimbursements, legislative cuts, rising costs and fluctuating patient volumes. To best weather these ongoing headwinds, Providence Swedish today announced plans to begin a process of moving acute care services from its Cherry Hill campus to the First Hill campus when a major expansion of First Hill – the North Patient Tower project – opens in fall 2027.
As has been publicly reported, Providence Swedish is a couple of years into a major, multi-year expansion of its First Hill campus. Once completed in two years, the North Patient Tower will transform the health system’s flagship hospital. This $1.3 billion project, which is the largest in Providence Swedish’s 115-year history, will feature an expanded and upgraded Emergency Department with dedicated behavioral health rooms, all new operating rooms, expanded medical imaging, and more acuity-adaptable intensive care unit rooms. The additional square footage will provide an opportunity for the organization to transform and consolidate numerous hospital-based clinical services and operations.
“The North Patient Tower is one of the most important investments in our future. It’s a pivotal puzzle piece that – once in place – will allow us to reimagine and restructure how we’ll continue delivering the care our patients need and deserve,” said Elizabeth Wako, M.D., President and CEO of Swedish Health Services. “This project will enable necessary changes that are critical for our future, such as updating aging infrastructure and integrating key services. Building the North Patient Tower is essential so we can continue our mission to care for our community over the next century.”
Cherry Hill’s inpatient, surgical and emergency services will move to First Hill starting in fall 2027
The First Hill and Cherry Hill campuses are just 2,000 feet apart, which is only about the length of three Space Needles.
“Operating two acute care hospitals in such close proximity is not the best way to steward resources or serve our patients. And to put it plainly, it’s not sustainable,” said Dr. Wako. “In fact, we’re privileged to have operated two tertiary campuses for as long as we have. By consolidating core acute care services on one campus, we will eliminate redundant costs, streamline operations, reduce complexity, and improve coordination for enhanced patient safety and efficiency.”
Teams and departments that will move have been meeting with operations and real-estate leaders for feasibility discussions. Over the past month, Providence Swedish has completed many conversations with key stakeholders.
Cherry Hill services that will move to First Hill:
- Emergency Department
- Cardiovascular ICU
- Cardiac surgery
- Cardiac procedures
- Neuro ICU
- Neurosurgery
- Medical/surgical
- Inpatient medical imaging
- Inpatient support services (e.g., nutrition services, environmental services, facilities, material service center, registration)
Services that will stay at Cherry Hill:
- Outpatient clinics
- Rehab services
- Outpatient medical imaging
- Cardio diagnostic imaging center
- Clinical education/simulation center
“This transition will take time. The organization has months and months of meetings and planning ahead to prepare for late 2027 when North Patient Tower opens,” said Dr. Wako. “But I want to be clear, we do not anticipate any layoffs of frontline caregivers due to this future move.”
Cherry Hill is not closing, but rather being reimagined
Consolidating inpatient care, surgical services and the Emergency Department to First Hill in a couple of years will allow Providence Swedish to reimagine services offered at Cherry Hill to best meet needs of the community and its patient populations – especially the most vulnerable.
“We’re exploring several possibilities and will share details as they become available. However, our mission and values will continue to be front and center as we evaluate different options,” said Dr. Wako. “Providence Swedish remains committed to the Puget Sound community and is excited about Cherry Hill’s potential.”
Journey just beginning
In this time of rapid change and ongoing challenges, the current environment demands that health-care organizations think differently, remain flexible and make bold, mission-driven decisions.
“After years of anticipation and planning, this health system is excited for the opportunities ahead,” said Dr. Wako. “By simplifying and streamlining, improving efficiency and continuing to responsibly steward our resources, we will ensure that the outstanding services offered at each Providence Swedish campus make the most sense and continue providing excellent experiences for our patients and caregivers alike.”
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About Providence Swedish
Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 24,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics throughout Western Washington – from Everett to Centralia. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provides about $500 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound region each year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care. For more information, visit providence.org/swedish.
