Our Story

Humanizing healthcare for Everyone. Everywhere. Every time.

Planetree is a passionate not-for-profit healthcare leader setting the global standard for person-centered excellence across the continuum of care.  We partner to deliver the leading evidence-based framework for co-designing your roadmap to improved patient and family engagement, better clinical outcomes, increased staff retention and recruitment, and high value care.

Who we are

From the vision of one patient to a global reach extending across 6 continents and touching the lives of millions.

Our Origin
Our Values
Our Mission
Our Vision

Hear our origin story

Planetree founder, Angie Thieriot, explains the origin story of Planetree, and the impact person-centered care is having on millions of people around the world.

Our Values

We use evidence-based approaches to drive improvements in key performance metrics, delivering high value, compassionate, and person-centered healthcare

Our Mission

To partner with healthcare organizations around the world and across the continuum of care on a global mission to humanize the healthcare experience for everyone, everywhere, every time.

Our Vision

We believe that patient’s rights are human rights. In our work we promote respect, inclusion and compassion towards all stakeholders in the healthcare enterprise. Planetree’s core philosophy of kindness, caring and respect seeks to help realize and sustain human rights everywhere.

Started by one patient in 1978. Now Planetree is

In over 35 countries, powered by 50,000 voices, and impacting over 9 million lives across the care continuum.

1978

Angelica Thieriot creates Planetree to restore a greater sense of compassion and partnership to healthcare

1980

The first Planetree consumer health resource library is opened in San Francisco, CA to support patients in accessing information to make informed care decisions

1985

The first Planetree patient unit opens at what is now San Francisco's Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center. Four additional sites adopt Planetree as a result of this experimental unit.

1990

The World Health Organization, The Institute of Medicine, The Joint Commission, and others recognize Planetree's significance to the future of Healthcare

1995

Planetree's growth expands with sites across the United States, adopting person-centered care practices

2000

Putting Patients First: Designing and Practicing Patient-Centered Care is published

2002

Planetree opens first two global sites in the Netherlands and Canada

2005

The Patient-Centered Hospital Designation (now Planetree Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care) Program is introduced

2007

First five hospitals receive Planetree Designation

2008

The Patient-Centered Care Improvement Guide and Long-Term Care Improvement Guide are published

2009

The Department of Veterans Affairs adopt Planetree programming in medical centers across the United States

2010

Planetree expands global presence with three additional offices in Brazil, Germany, and Latin America

2011

Planetree launches the Patient and Family Partnership Council

2012

Planetree reach extends to more than 700 organizations across 25 countries

2015

The National Academy of Medicine invites Planetree to partner in developing the Guiding Framework for Patient and Family Engaged Care

2016

Planetree hosts the 24th World Health Organization Collaborating Centre's International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services

2018

Planetree acquires Language of Caring, introducing skill based educational training to organizations around the world

2021

Planetree creates a coalition of healthcare organizations to develop the Family Presence Policy Decision-Making Toolkit

2023

Planetree expands global reach to over 35 countries

Planetree hospitals in every region of the United States across the globe. They really are models of excellence and success. Their reputation, track record, and flexibility to meet you where you are and bring out the best in you are all reasons to partner with Planetree.
- Eric Wei
Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals
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