UC Davis Health ranked 4th best brand nationally in health care

UC Davis Health is ranked as the No. 4 brand nationally among 201 health care organizations in a new research report.

The health system was also ranked No. 3 nationally as “most committed to improving diversity and inclusion” and No. 1 in the “Top 5 new entrants in 2022” by Monigle, an independent brand research agency.

Every year, Monigle conducts nationwide research about health care trends and humanizing health care. This year’s report was released on May 3. Its brand rankings are based on consumer opinion and weighted by health care engagement in each market.

In comparison to UC Davis Health’s brand ranking, UCSF was ranked No. 32 nationally, UCLA Health No. 35, UC San Diego Health No. 38, UCI Health No. 86, Dignity Health No. 125, Sutter Health No. 168, Adventist Health No. 184 and Kaiser Permanente No. 189. 

Insights acted on

Back in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, UC Davis Health analyzed Monigle’s market research that showed patients were going to be extremely reluctant to seek care, as they wanted to know exactly what safety protocols health systems had in place –measures such as regularly cleaning surfaces, wearing masks, and temperature checks. 

UC Davis Health pivoted quickly on this and other insights in the research, implementing high-standard protocols at all levels while conveying messages addressing safety concerns to its market and patient audiences.

As a result, UC Davis Health’s patient volumes quickly rebounded while other health systems struggled to get patients to return. This was the first year the Sacramento market was included in the firm’s research.

Future trends, directions

In its report, Monigle noted that patient engagement throughout the health care industry is stable, but has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Consumers are also craving “peace of mind” from their experiences with providers, but at the same time, health systems are facing challenges in staffing, burn-out, and the introduction of new procedures and technology.

“This is the new brand battleground: engaging consumers has become more complicated as we try to keep doors open, our people safe (and sane), and our care experiences meaningful,” the report stated. COVID-19 changed the way consumers engage with life, health, care, and wellness. Despite the desire to return to “normal,” the data suggests it won’t be that easy.

“In reality, the battleground that health care brands operate within has fundamentally shifted, and there’s no going back to how it worked before.

Now, health care brands must adapt and change to fit into new societal, cultural, and personal needs,” the researchers wrote.

No longer is the health care industry a mere set of brick-and-mortar facilities – rather, it is a digitally boundless, interconnected, and hybrid network. And health care workers are no longer considered the “gatekeepers of health treatments and information, but as a partner in people’s self-directed approaches,” according to Monigle.

Finally, the issue of health equity is more paramount than ever, the researchers explained. Moving forward, health systems will not be viewed simply as sources of care for some, but as an inclusive provider for all.