UW News

June 22, 2006

Ballpark buddies: Mariners & UW Medicine

Safeco Field is sporting a new health care partner this season as part of a sponsorship agreement between UW Medicine and the Seattle Mariners.


“UW Medicine constantly looks for ways to connect with the public. Developing a partnership with the Seattle Mariners gives us a great opportunity to provide health information and education to consumers throughout our area,” said Gretchen Bakamis, director of marketing for UW Medicine.

Safeco Field now features signs for UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center and UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics. This includes the prominent rotating signs behind home plate, visible not only to those in the ballpark but viewers watching on television at home.

On the scoreboard in center field is a sign for the UW Medicine Patient Fund. Each time a Mariner player hits a home run, the team will make a donation to the fund, which helps pay for care for uninsured patients.

The Mariners magazine sold at the ballpark will include advertising and articles about UW Medicine and its health programming on UWTV. UW Medicine will have tables at selected games featuring information about its services.

Later this season the Mariners will salute employees of the year from Harborview, UW Medical Center and UW Physicians, and recognize medical students from each of the five states — Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho — served by the UW School of Medicine.

UW Medicine will take part in three special promotional nights in July and August. On July 9, it will be “Turn Back the Clock” night, with the Mariners giving away Seattle Pilots-style caps with the UW Medicine logo on the back. On July 22 against the Detroit Tigers, it will be T-shirts, and it will be purple and gold baseball caps for UW Alumni Recognition Day on Aug. 5 against the Oakland Athletics.

“We’re proud to be affiliated with such a strong corporate partner and an organization that cares about the health of all our citizens,” Bakamis said.