Doctors at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Vote to Unionize
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2025
Contact:
Northwest Medicine United
503-890-8141
media@nwmu.org
TACOMA, Wash.—Pediatric physicians at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital announced today that they voted to unionize with Northwest Medicine United to have a stronger voice in decisions affecting patient care.
The 100 physicians at Mary Bridge (part of the MultiCare system) said they voted to unionize so they can formally engage with hospital administrators through a collective bargaining agreement on decisions that will improve patient care. This effort is part of a growing movement of physicians across the country who are unionizing to protect patient care, address staffing levels and oppose corporate control in medicine.
“We came together to have a voice in the decisions that impact our patients. In a time of growing challenges, physicians must be at the table to advocate for the children and families we serve. We’re proud to stand united in our commitment to compassionate, high-quality care, and now our united voice will indeed be heard,” said Dr. Andrea Gravatt, emergency medicine physician of 40 years and Mary Bridge employee of 20 years.
Northwest Medicine United, formerly known as the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association, founded in 2014, is the first hospitalist-specific union in the United States and is now one of the largest physician-led unions in the country. It represents physicians in the Pacific Northwest at PeaceHealth, Providence and Legacy Health. It is part of AFT Nurses and Health Professionals, the fastest-growing healthcare union in the nation, which represents more than 200,000 healthcare workers and is part of the 1.8 million-member AFT, AFL-CIO.
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