California hospital revamps menu to boost patient experience

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.—A growing number of hospitals and health systems are beginning to make the connection between the quality of the food they serve and the patient experience. Many are revamping their menus, creating healthier, more diverse, and tastier food options for patients.

John Muir Health, a two-hospital system in California, has been one of the organizations leading the charge in reimagining—and, perhaps, rebranding—the image of hospital food.

"John Muir Health's nutrition department has been changing and updating menus on an ongoing basis over the years as we receive feedback from our patients and as new products become available," says Sandi Rigney, director of nutritional services for the health system. "One of our most popular entrees, which we have continued to keep on the menu year after year, is our fresh seasonal fruit plate."