Our vision, mission, values, and strategic framework represent who we are, what we stand for, and where we’re going. Throughout, you’ll see our commitment to strengthening our collaboration and partnership with Washington’s public health partners. We know we are stronger together.
Vision
Equity and optimal health for all
Mission
We work with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state.
Values
Human Centered
We see others as people who matter like we do. We seek to understand their experiences, needs, and perspectives and let what we learn shape how we work. We lead with dignity and respect and create conditions that foster trust, inclusion, belonging, and well-being.
Equity
We are committed to racial and health equity and acknowledge the historical and present-day harms of racism, inequity, inequality, and trauma. We seek out and center voices and experiences that have too often been excluded, and work with communities to shape solutions. We act with purpose and intention to advance health justice and equitable access to services, programs, opportunities, and information for all.
Collaboration and Partnership
We embrace radical collaboration, expanding how and with whom we work by bringing together people with different experiences, perspectives, and expertise. We build relationships grounded in trust, shared purpose, and mutual respect, recognizing that the challenges we face cannot be solved alone. We work toward shared solutions and take collective action when it can amplify our impact and achieve outcomes greater than any of us can achieve on our own.
Seven Generations
Inspired by Native American cultures, we seek wisdom from those who came before us to ensure our current work protects those who will come after us. We seek out the wisdom of those who might help us see issues and challenges in our work more completely.
Excellence
We hold ourselves accountable for the quality, impact, and outcomes of our work. We continually learn, improve, and draw on evidence, lived experience, best practices, and innovation to strengthen how we work. We strive for high performance and meaningful results that demonstrate value to the people and communities we serve.
Strategic Framework
This framework includes 5 focus areas to align our agency toward achieving our shared vision. We will use this framework to create synergy amongst our program areas. We will move forward with purpose and work in ways that reflect our agency values.
Champion Health Justice and Equity
We will advance health justice by addressing the social and structural factors that shape health. We will center equity in our public health and health care policies, programs, services, and priority initiatives, working with communities and partners to understand systemic barriers and co-create solutions that address health inequities. We will use our leadership, partnerships, and convening power to influence the broader conditions that affect health and advance shared solutions. We will hold ourselves accountable by measuring progress and outcomes, learning from what we find, and using that knowledge to drive meaningful and lasting change.
Advance Affordability, Accessibility, and Quality in the Health Care System
We will build on our strengths and responsibilities in health care to help shape a future where high-quality care is more affordable and accessible for all people in Washington. We will deepen partnerships with health care organizations, state agencies, Tribes, communities, academia, and others to identify shared challenges and opportunities. Together, we will explore new possibilities and use our collective strengths, authorities, expertise, and partnerships to help shape a stronger health care system for Washington.
Strengthen and Sustain Governmental Public Health While Building a Stronger Public Health System
Together with local and Tribal public health and the State Board of Health, we share leadership and responsibility for Washington’s governmental public health system. We will strengthen and sustain that system while deepening connections across the broader public health system and with communities in pursuit of universal health goals and targeted approaches that recognize and respond to the different needs of communities. We will lead, convene, and join others to develop shared strategies and take collective action—strengthening our ability to look ahead, respond to emerging needs, and act proactively to improve health across Washington.
Enhance DOH Organizational Performance and Health
We will strengthen internal collaboration, break down silos, and continually advance our processes, systems, and structures to improve organizational performance, equitable outcomes, and the experience of the people and partners we serve. Continuous improvement starts with listening and learning, including from the voices and experiences of our workforce, to understand what is working, where barriers exist, and where we can do better. We will act on what we learn to foster a healthy work environment and culture rooted in inclusion, belonging, and well-being. By staying curious, embracing innovation, and continually adapting, we will build an organization that will work better for our workforce, our partners, and the people we serve.
Strengthen and Support a Thriving Workforce
Our workforce is at the heart of bringing our mission to life and achieving what matters most. We will create the conditions where our DOH workforce feels valued and supported, has opportunities to learn and grow, and can see how each person’s work contributes to our shared purpose and the health of people and communities across Washington. We will strengthen the skills and capabilities of our workforce to meet the needs of today while preparing for the work of the future. Recognizing that our success depends on the people we work alongside, we will collaborate across public health, health care, Tribes, communities, and partner organizations to strengthen and support a workforce that can thrive and help shape a healthier Washington.