Chinese Hospital 2024 Annual Report: 125 Years of Care

What this document is: Chinese Hospital’s 2024 Annual Report marks its 125th anniversary and lays out the system’s biggest wins, urgent needs, and near-term projects. It highlights new programs (lung health, mental health, hepatitis B), planned capacity expansions (Skilled Nursing Facility & Subacute Care), quality recognitions, community impact, fundraising milestones for a new Cancer & Infusion Center, and a frank look at financial headwinds. It also thanks the donors, partners, and staff who keep this community-owned safety-net hospital moving forward.

1) Who they are, what they’ve done, and where they’re headed

Chinese Hospital was founded in 1899 to serve a community excluded from mainstream care; the first hospital building opened in 1925, a new seismically safe wing followed in 1979, and a modern medical office building opened in 2016 along with deeper collaboration with UCSF Health. During the COVID-19 crisis, the hospital ran mobile testing, a designated clinic, stood up extra inpatient capacity to accept transfers from San Francisco General, and upgraded its ED to basic level service for broader city access—efforts recognized by local, state, and federal leaders. In 2024, Chinese Hospital celebrated its 125th anniversary and was named by Newsweek one of California’s Best-In-State Hospitals (ranking #33 statewide and one of the top 4 in San Francisco); it has already been selected again for 2025.

2) Clinical highlights you should know

Lung health & screening

The Cardiopulmonary Unit, working closely with Radiology, earned GO2 for Lung Cancer “Screening Center of Excellence” status for its commitment to early detection using low-dose CT (LDCT)—the only proven test for early lung cancer detection. Annual screening is recommended for adults 50–80 with ≥20 pack-years, who currently smoke or quit within 15 years. To learn more or schedule, call 1-628-228-2828.

Stroke care

Chinese Hospital’s Primary Stroke Center is TJC-certified and has the American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines–Stroke” Gold award. Its culturally responsive care is integrated with UCSF’s Comprehensive Stroke Center expertise and resources to speed evidence-based treatment and recovery.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) & Subacute Care

To improve post-acute access citywide, the hospital is completing CMS certification for its Skilled Nursing Facility (CDPH prelim survey and life-safety checks passed; full certification anticipated at end-2024). In partnership with the Department of Public Health, the Subacute Care Unit has finished mechanical/electrical trunk upgrades and is preparing 30 additional beds, with formal certification planning in 2025–2026. This will be San Francisco’s only hospital-operated subacute unit, letting patients remain in community rather than transfer far away.

Hepatitis B Demonstration Project

In early 2024, the hospital received a $1.3M CDPH grant to launch a Hepatitis B Demonstration Project in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties—aligned with the US National Viral Hepatitis Strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. AAPI communities face disproportionate impact: 1 in 12 Asian Americans live with HBV (vs. 1 in 1,000 non-Hispanic Whites), and AAPI represent >60% of the ~860,000 HBV cases despite being 6% of the US population. The hospital builds on 25 years of HBV vaccination, testing for high-risk groups (including low-income/newcomer populations), and coordinated care—ensuring access regardless of insurance.

Mental health integration

Following a community health needs assessment that identified mental health, safety, access, and native-language education as top priorities, clinics now embed behavioral health using the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) and participation in CalHIVE. A bilingual outreach partnership with CCHRC has reached 20,000+ readers through webinars and publications on stress management and self-care; an Employee Assistance Program offers free counseling and resources for staff and family members.

3) Community outreach: what actually happened

Community Health Fairs across San Francisco and San Mateo provide free BMI, blood pressure, bone density, blood glucose/diabetes checks, HBV testing, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and multi-topic health education (mental health, mpox prevention, nutrition, palliative care, stroke, medication). In the last 12 months, reported outcomes include ~1,200 attendees, ~800 clinical screenings, and 100% satisfaction; 72% of attendees were AAPI, 15% Black, 4% Latinx, 4% White, with a broad partner network led by UCSF Health and SFDPH. Many participants continue to clinic follow-up afterwards, showing these fairs connect people to ongoing care.

4) Quality & leadership recognitions

Newsweek Best-In-State Hospital (CA) 2024 and again selected for 2025, reflecting sustained quality and patient-centered care.
AHA GWTG–Stroke Gold; GO2 Screening Center of Excellence for lung cancer screening.
CEO Dr. Jian Zhang: Modern Healthcare Top 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives (2024), San Mateo County AAPI Community Impact Hero Award, and USF Humanitarian Award for advancing access and equity.

5) The big build: Cancer & Infusion Center + 1979 Building upgrades

The hospital is renovating the 2nd floor of the 1979 building to create a modern Cancer & Infusion Center with ~20,000 sq ft, six infusion treatment rooms, private waiting, upgraded imaging/diagnostics, and added supports like nutrition services—a $4M project replacing the current temporary clinic. Arthur (Ying-Mou) Chan jump-started fundraising with $1.25M, and another $1.25M was raised via the anniversary gala, radiothon, and golf tournament. To support, contact the Development Office at 1-415-677-2470 or donate@chasf.org.

A separate $7M philanthropic gift from Dr. Chun-Hua Wong propels the broader 1979 Building modernization, acknowledged alongside SFDPH and city leaders who enabled patient transfers during COVID—partnerships that remain essential to the subacute program.

6) Fundraising milestones & who showed up

125th Anniversary Gala (May 9, 2024): 600+ guests; >$1.65M raised; special thanks for the $1.25M Cancer & Infusion Center gift. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the hospital’s impact and model of community-rooted care.
“Love for Chinese Hospital” Radiothon (Aug 30): >$220K raised from 275+ donors to help build and equip the new Center.
29th Annual Golf Tournament (Olympic Club): Community leaders and sponsors (incl. Applied Underwriters Invitational, CCHP) and co-chairs Hon. Willie L. Brown, Jr. and Dr. Jian Zhang anchored the event.

7) The financial reality (and why support matters)

More than 75% of patients rely on Medicare/Medi-Cal, but these programs don’t cover full costs. A little-known federal policy caps Chinese Hospital’s Medicare/Medi-Cal add-on at 12% (because the hospital has <100 beds) even though the appropriate rate should be 65%—a structural shortfall compounded by COVID-era cost spikes (labor +16%, drugs +41%, supplies +19%). Partnerships with UCSF Health and public funding shepherded by Asm. Phil Ting have been vital to sustain stroke, palliative, cardiopulmonary, and the subacute expansion.

8) People and culture

The hospital invests in leadership through an LDI program (formal training, mentorship, peer learning) that reduced leadership turnover and improved promotions. A new track pairs emerging leaders with senior executives for hands-on co-teaching and team-building experience.

There are also powerful patient stories—from a family lauding bilingual, culturally sensitive palliative support for their mother, to a long-time patient who completed chemotherapy with nurses and social workers by her side—reminding readers why local, language-concordant care matters.

9) Advocacy & ecosystem

The Healthy Chinese Community Alliance (HCCA) (founded 2023) advocates for sustainable funding and equitable access, co-conducted a 2024–25 community needs survey with CCHRC, and publicly supported investments to renovate Chinatown Public Health Center, ZSFG, community clinics, and Laguna Honda. HCCA will continue policy work to close cost gaps and expand access and utilization.

Chinese Community Health Plan (CCHP)—the hospital’s health plan—also anchors sustainability and access (Medicare & individual/ employer coverage; open enrollment messaging). The hospital’s wellness education arm (CCHRC) provides bilingual seminars, navigation, and materials, with a Wellness Library at 845 Jackson St., lobby (415-677-2473, cchrchealth.org).

10) How you can use this report (action guide)

If you’re a community member or patient

Check your lung screening eligibility (50–80, ≥20 pack-years, current smoker or quit <15 yrs). If yes—or unsure—call 1-628-228-2828 to ask about low-dose CT (available locally). Annual screening saves lives.
Know stroke readiness. Chinese Hospital’s TJC-certified Primary Stroke Center follows national, evidence-based protocols and coordinates with UCSF—if stroke is suspected, seek emergency care; then ask about Chinese Hospital’s stroke program for follow-up.
Access mental health support. Ask your Chinese Hospital clinic about CoCM/CalHIVE behavioral health. For bilingual resources, visit CCHRC (845 Jackson St. lobby) or call 415-677-2473; browse the Wellness Library and webinars.
Use community health fairs. Watch for upcoming free fairs to get screenings (HBV, diabetes, BP, bone density) and vaccinations (flu/COVID). If screened, accept clinic follow-up offers—many participants continue care after events.

If you’re a caregiver

Bring eligible loved ones to LDCT lung screening and to health fairs for baseline numbers (BP, glucose) and vaccines. If your loved one faces behavioral health needs, ask about embedded counseling at their primary-care clinic or CCHRC.
Track the SNF/Subacute timeline (2025–26) if you anticipate complex post-acute needs; staying in-community reduces stress from distant transfers.

If you’re a clinician or partner

Leverage UCSF-linked stroke pathways and cardiopulmonary collaborations; join HBV outreach for high-risk groups; refer patients to the Wellness Library for bilingual education.

If you’re a policymaker or advocate

Note the structural financing gap (Medicare/Medi-Cal 12% vs. 65% add-on) that disadvantages <100-bed hospitals; support fixes and funding that sustain culturally competent safety-net care.
Engage with HCCA to advance equitable investments (Chinatown Public Health Center, ZSFG, clinics, Laguna Honda) and help scale what works (stroke, HBV, mental health integration).

If you’re a donor, sponsor, or foundation

Fund the Cancer & Infusion Center (goal $4M; two major tranches of $1.25M already secured). Contact 1-415-677-2470 or donate@chasf.org. Consider sponsoring the gala, radiothon, and golf to accelerate completion.
Recognize that upgrades to the 1979 building and the subacute expansion create capacity for the most vulnerable patients to stay in community.

If you’re choosing coverage

CCHP is the hospital’s health plan (Medicare and individual/employer options). Enrolling supports both your care and the community’s safety-net; see CCHPHealthPlan.com / BalancebyCCHP.com or call 1-888-681-3888.

11) What to watch next

SNF CMS certification completion and Subacute licensing milestones (2025–2026) with 30 new beds.
Cancer & Infusion Center buildout on the 1979 2nd floor (space, privacy, imaging, infusion rooms).
Ongoing awards & partnerships demonstrating a stable quality trajectory (Newsweek, AHA, GO2; UCSF alignment).
Community events and the “Save the Date: 126th Anniversary” momentum (stay tuned via hospital channels).

Bottom line

This report shows a hospital that pairs heritage and language-concordant care with modern, outcome-driven programs—in stroke, lung cancer, HBV, mental health—and that is expanding capacity (SNF/Subacute) while building a new Cancer & Infusion Center to treat people close to home. It also makes clear that your actions—getting screened, attending health fairs, seeking mental health support, advocating for fair funding, enrolling in CCHP, and donating or sponsoring—directly translate into more care, for more neighbors, in their own language and community.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes the Chinese Hospital 2024 Annual Report for general education and community awareness. It is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified clinician. Programs, eligibility, services, and contact details may change; verify directly with Chinese Hospital or your health plan. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Source: Chinese Hospital — 2024 Annual Report (PDF). (Provided by you: 2024-Annual-Report-CH_digital-REV.pdf.)

Healthcare News & Policy