Media and Press

Memorial Hospital and Mercy Southwest join Dignity Health hospitals across California earning the most safety awards than any other health system in the state

Memorial Hospital earns five “Straight A”, Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, and Mercy Hospital Southwest received a consecutive “A” grade rating for the Spring 2025 cycle.

Dignity Health Strengthens Commitment to Community with Bakersfield Arena, Theater and Convention Center Partnership

An official unveiling of the newly renamed venue is scheduled for mid-March 2025.

Dignity Health—Memorial Hospital and Mercy Hospital Southwest Named to U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care

This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study.

Dignity Health—Mercy Southwest and Memorial Hospital Earn Consecutive ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade Ratings from The Leapfrog Group

New Grade for fall 2024 is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety.

Dignity Health - Mercy & Memorial Hospitals Provided More Than $11 Million in Patient Financial Assistance in FY24

Mercy & Memorial Hospitals provided more than $11 million during fiscal year 2024 (FY24) in patient financial assistance for those unable to afford medical necessary care.

Dignity Health—Mercy & Memorial Hospitals Receive “LGBTQ+ Equality Leader/High Performer” Recognition in 2024 Healthcare Equality Index

In the 2024 report, a record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process.

Mercy Hospital Southwest and Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Earn ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group

New Grade for spring 2024 is a national recognition for patient safety

U.S. News & World Report Recognizes Dignity Health—Bakersfield Memorial Hospital’s Excellent Black Patient Outcomes For Black Maternal Health Week 2024

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital has been recognized for its success in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report for Black Maternal Health Week 2024.

Dignity Health Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Celebrates Final Beam Raising Ceremony for the Pediatric Surgical Suites Project at the Lauren Small Children’s Center

This pediatric expansion project features state-of-the-art operating rooms and equipment and will allow Memorial’s surgical teams to be specially trained to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients in Bakersfield and surrounding communities.

Dignity Health Named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2024 for Diversity

This survey of over 220,000+ individuals included representation at over 1.5 million companies in America.

Dignity Health Mercy Hospital Southwest Celebrates Major Milestone with Final Beam Raising at the New Hardt Foundation Tower

Time-honored tradition signifies completion of the highest point of the new tower expansion project .

Dignity Health Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Earns Distinction as 2024 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report

Memorial Hospital only Kern County hospital to receive a High Performing Designation

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital Awarded Fall 2023 ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group

New Grade for Fall 2023 reflects top national performance on patient safety

Dignity Health Cardiothoracic Surgeon First to Use New Coronary Bypass Technology at Memorial Hospital on High Risk Heart Attack Patients

This leading technology enables Dr. Peck to perform open heart surgery on patients with weak hearts who in the past had no surgical options.

U.S. News & World Report Names Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Among Best Hospitals 2023-2024 as High Performing for Three Procedures and/or Conditions

This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Breaks Ground on New Pediatric Surgical Suites Project

More than $23 million to be invested in expansion project of the Lauren Small Children’s Center at Memorial

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital awarded Primary Heart Attack Center Certification from The Joint Commission

Memorial Hospital recently underwent a rigorous, 2-day onsite review.

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is First Hospital in Nation’s Largest Health System to Use Next Generation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

This new procedure now provides a viable alternative

New Panda Cares® Center of Hope

The Lauren Small Children’s Center (LSCC) at Dignity Health - Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the dedication of the Panda Cares® Center of Hope, made possible by Panda Express® associates and guests.

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Awarded Spring 2023 “A” Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group and Voted Best Hospital in Kern County

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers around the country.

Dignity Health California Named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2023

Newsweek and market data research firm Plant-A Insights looked at 1,000 companies and based their scores on publicly available data...

Dignity Health Bakersfield Hosts Drive-Thru Community Grants Parade to Distribute $424,604 to Seven Local Non-Profits

Community grants range from $25,000 to $75,000 and support projects and programs benefitting underserved and vulnerable populations in Kern County.

Memorial Hospital Announces Multi-Million Dollar Gift to Expand Pediatric Surgical Services at Lauren Small Children’s Center

Memorial Hospital Announces Multi-Million Dollar Gift to Expand Pediatric Surgical Services at Lauren Small Children’s Center

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Offers Future Nurses Unique Learning Experience Through Distinguished Residency Program

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Offers Future Nurses Unique Learning Experience Through Distinguished Residency Program

Mercy and Memorial Hospitals is nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality cardiovascular care

Mercy and Memorial Hospitals is nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality cardiovascular care

Dignity Health – Memorial Hospital awarded Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from The Joint Commission

Dignity Health – Memorial Hospital awarded Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from The Joint Commission

Mercy and Memorial Hospitals Receive LGBTQ+ Equality Recognition in 2022 Healthcare Equality Index

Mercy and Memorial Hospitals Receive LGBTQ+ Equality Recognition in 2022 Healthcare Equality Index

New Chief Operating Officer Named for Dignity Health Memorial Hospital

Terri Church, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Dignity Health Memorial Hospital, has accepted the position as Vice President, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Memorial Hospital

New Chief Operating Officer Named for Dignity Health Memorial Hospital

Terri Church, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Dignity Health Memorial Hospital, has accepted the position as Vice President, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Memorial Hospital

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital Announced as Training Site for New Partnership to Expand Representation in Health Care

The announcement launches the first phase of the More in Common Alliance, a 10-year, $100 million initiative to increase cultural competency and expand representation to improve both access and quality of care patients receive.

Dignity Health Bakersfield Provided More Than $82 Million in Patient Financial Assistance and Community Benefit Programs in FY21

Dignity Health Bakersfield Provided More Than $82 Million in Patient Financial Assistance and Community Benefit Programs in FY21

Memorial Hospital Vaccine Announcement

Memorial Hospital Vaccine Announcement

The Sarvanand Heart and Brain Center at Memorial Hospital Recertified as Central Valley’s Only Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center.

Memorial Hospital is proud that The Sarvanand Heart and Brain Center has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart and Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark as a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center.

CSU Bakersfield COVID-19 Vaccination Hub Appointment and Walk-In Eligibility

Dignity Health Bakersfield Invites Community to Honor Health Care Heroes and First Responders During COVID-19 Surge

Dignity Health Bakersfield invites the community to join us in honoring those called to care during the pandemic through a campaign called Operation White Lights.

Grant for Children's Center

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital has been awarded a $15 million grant from the Children's Hospital Program of 2018 to advance comprehensive pediatric services in Kern County.

Leapfrog

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital was awarded an A in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Memorial Hospital’s achievements providing safer health care.

Grant Funding

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, eight Kern County non-profit organizations will be presented with grant checks by members of the Dignity Health Community Grants Program review committee.

Patient Financial Assistance

Dignity Health Mercy and Memorial Hospitals annually report on community health programs, including the health needs being addressed, programs and measurable objectives, and the economic value of our community benefit in Kern County.

Stroke Honor Roll Gold Plus

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

Mission Lifeline NSTEMI Award

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital has received the Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI Bronze Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association.

Gold Plus Achievement

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital has received the Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association.

Hospital Certification

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital was recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a "Gold Safe Sleep Champion" for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

Burn Unit Open

The SA Camp Companies Burn Unit at The Grossman Burn Center at Memorial Hospital has opened to patients in its newly-renovated permanent space.

Life is Why

The American Heart Association and Dignity Health Bakersfield have agreed to a three-year "Life is Why: Kern County" initiative that will provide local residents with community education and resources to improve their heart and brain health.

Army and Dignity Health

The U.S. Army and Dignity Health are scheduled to sign a partnership agreement on Thursday, February 21, 2019 as part of the U.S. Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS).

Thrombectomy-Capable Certification

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital recently earned Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) certification from The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).

Memorial Hospital CEO Announcement

Dignity Health is pleased to announce that Kenneth Keller has accepted the position of President/Chief Executive Officer for Memorial Hospital effective Monday, December 24, 2018.

Leapfrog - A Rating

Memorial Hospital was awarded an "A" from The Leapfrog Group's Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade.

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital to Open Bakersfield's First State-of-the-Art Hybrid Catheterization LAB

The Sarvanand Heart & Brain Center at Memorial Hospital announces the expansion of its nationally recognized cardiac and neuro programs to offer high-tech, quality care to Bakersfield and our surrounding communities.

Garden Pathways and Dignity Health to Pilot First-of-its-Kind Homeless Outreach and Intervention Program

Mitigating homelessness in Bakersfield poses a difficult challenge, but Garden Pathways and Dignity Health are piloting an innovative homeless outreach and intervention program that could be key to a city-wide model.

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital Receives Honors from the American Heart Association for their Continued Excellence in Heart & Stroke Care

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award as well as the Target: Stroke Elite Award

Watchman Implant

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in Bakersfield to offer patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) an alternative to long-term warfarin or Novel Oral Anti-Coagulants (NOAC).

Promoting Organ Donor Registries

Dignity Health Mercy & Memorial Hospitals were among a select group of hospitals nationwide recognized for promoting enrollment in state organ donor registries.

Lowest C-Section Rates

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is one of 111 California hospitals that has met or surpassed a federal target aimed at reducing Cesarean births (C-Sections).

Grants to Non-Profits

Eight Kern County non-profit organizations will be presented with grant checks by members of the Dignity Health Community Grants Program review committee.

Free Heart Screening Program

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in America. Every year, more than 600,000 people die of heart disease--that's one out of every four deaths.

Bakersfield's First ER Just for Kids

The Robert A. Grimm Children’s Pavilion for Emergency Services at Memorial Hospital will open its doors at 7:00am to pediatric patients on Thursday, September 21, 2017.

Women's OB/Gyn Care

Memorial Hospital and Mercy Hospital Southwest are proud to announce that we have received seven national awards from Healthgrades including 5-star achievement for our performance in OB/GYN Care.

Docent Health Services in Bakersfield

Docent Health, the leading innovator in consumer-centric healthcare experiences, today announced that Dignity Health Bakersfield Memorial Hospital will be offering Docent services to patients across three service lines.

Grossman Burn Center

Residents throughout Kern County suffering from a burn injury will now be directly transported to the world-renowned burn center at Memorial Hospital.

Low C-Section Rates

A Consumer Reports investigation of more than 1,300 hospitals across the U.S. revealed that Memorial Hospital ranked number 5 in the Nation for large hospitals, lowering their C-Section rate to 13%.

Donate Life Month

Mercy and Memorial Hospitals will be joining with thousands of hospitals and millions of Americans this April to celebrate National Donate Life Month, to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Grimm Children's Pavilion

Memorial Hospital will celebrate the completion of Kern County's first pediatric emergency room, the Robert A. Grimm Children's Pavilion for Emergency Services during a private event on Thursday, March 30, 2017.