CHA was formed in 1996 when two Massachusetts hospitals - Cambridge Hospital and Somerville Hospital - joined together, and along with their community health centers, began operating under one hospital license. As a combined entity, the system was better able to meet the needs of its patients and fulfill its shared community health mission. In 2001, the system grew by acquiring Whidden Hospital in Everett, MA and associated health services in Malden and Revere. Both efforts allowed the system to continue helping individuals and families in greatest need by improving access to care - financially, geographically, and clinically.

CHA provides a wide range of clinical services with a special focus on primary care, community wellness and prevention. In addition to its strong primary care network, CHA has an array of specialty services, innovative planned care programs for chronic disease, nationally-renowned behavioral health services, and a three-site emergency department with 100,000 annual visits. Nearly all clinical services are operated under one unified hospital license and led by a largely employed medical staff.

The system also has highly integrated personal and population health functions. CHA operates the Public Health Department for the City of Cambridge and has a large community outreach team. Its public and community health staff work closely with clinicians, municipalities, and community groups to address issues like breast health, obesity, and depression.

CHA is currently transforming its system to ensure excellent patient experiences and control healthcare costs. This work is important and meaningful, and will allow us to serve our patients today, and in the future. (See more in Our Transformation.)

Since its creation in 1996, CHA has worked to achieve its community health mission. In doing so, it has placed special emphasis on maintaining access and enhancing care for vulnerable and diverse patients in the region who traditionally experience numerous barriers to health care. CHA has a robust interpreter services program, bilingual primary care providers, and numerous linguistic programs like the Haitian Mental Health Team (2010 Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver). Its award winning Volunteer Health Advisor Program also reaches out to diverse populations to provide education and support.

CHA has a vibrant academic community with strong clinical, academic, and research programs. It sponsors undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education through formal teaching affiliations with Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and the Tufts University School of Medicine. Particularly noteworthy is the Harvard-Cambridge Integrated Clerkship, an innovative third year experience with a “continuity of care” curriculum, and CHA sponsored, HMS-affiliated training programs in internal medicine, adult and child psychiatry, psychology, and the Tufts family medicine residency.