Northwest Health - Porter Shares Annual Community Benefit Report Total Impact $295 Million

Valparaiso, IN – In its annual report to the community, Northwest Health - Porter detailed the scope of its clinical operations and economic impact across Porter County and Northwest Indiana, reporting more than 438,000 patient encounters in 2025. Beyond care delivered within its hospital and outpatient facilities, the organization contributed $295 million to the local economy through charity and uncompensated care, capital reinvestment, payroll, community partnerships and $18 million in tax payments that support local schools and other civic resources.

“Our responsibility extends beyond treating medical conditions — we are investing in the long-term health and vitality of the communities we serve,” said Dan Doherty, chief executive officer.  “Porter County, and all of Northwest Indiana, deserves access to advanced care delivered with a commitment to quality, safety and accountability.”

Clinical performance and patient safety remained central priorities in 2025. The hospital surpassed 300 consecutive days without a catheter-associated urinary tract infection, which continues today, reflecting disciplined adherence to evidence-based practices and a culture of safety across the organization.

Emergency services are critical to access care in the area, with more than 45,000 visits at the hospital's main campus and freestanding emergency departments in Valparaiso and Portage. The hospital also provided more than $36 million in charity and uncompensated care, ensuring life-saving, medically necessary care was available to patients regardless of their ability to pay.

As a teaching hospital, Northwest Health - Porter is also strengthening the region’s physician workforce through its accredited residency programs in family medicine and internal medicine.  With more than 40 resident physicians currently training at the organization, the programs are building a pipeline of high skilled primary care and hospital-based physicians. Vital affiliations with HealthLinc and Northshore Health Centers give these physicians experience in outpatient clinics where they provide care for those who are uninsured or underinsured. 

Northwest Health - Porter also maintained a strong commitment to community partnership, especially supporting initiatives that address social determinants of health. Efforts include the annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter drive benefitting the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and support for organizations such as The Caring Place, the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Indiana and Porter County Aging and Community Services.

With payroll exceeding $170 million, the hospital remains one of the area’s significant employers, supporting physicians, nurses, and other professionals who provide care around the clock. In 2025, Northwest Health - Porter also announced a multi-year, $11 million investment to bring inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services to Porter County and enhance inpatient physical rehabilitation capacity at its main campus - strengthening access to specialized care close to home.

“Our team is focused on clinical excellence and responsible growth,” Doherty said. We are investing in resources that will ensure this community has access to high-quality care for years to come.” 

------

About Northwest Health