Mission, Vision, and Values

Our mission is to provide accessible, compassionate whole person care

The Mission

of Polara Health is to provide accessible, compassionate whole person care that strengthens our community.

Our Vision

To be recognized for healthcare that exceeds expectations while maintaining our uncompromising principles and a sense of community that unites us in driving out stigma and celebrates health and empowerment for all.

Our Values:

  • Quality

  • Integrity

  • Compassion

Organizational history

Polara Health is the largest local non-profit provider of behavioral health and crisis intervention services in Yavapai County, and serves approximately 8,200 people annually.

1966: The Clinic is established by a group of visionary volunteers, and borrows office space in a building on Marina Street

1984: Cortez Clinic, our first permanent facility, opens

1986: WYGC Foundation is created to support current WYGC programs, to pursue new initiatives to expand services in the community, and to raise awareness on topics of behavioral and health issues

1989: WYGC opens an inpatient psychiatric facility and residential addiction treatment program called Hillside Center.

1998: An apartment building is acquired and turned into Haddon House – a transitional, supervised housing unit for persons diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

2000: WYGC purchases a modular building on Ruth Street for outpatient psychiatric services, and opens the Prescott Valley Campus – a permanent service site on Windsong Drive in Prescott Valley

2005: Long-time CEO Don Ostendorf steps down, and Larry Green becomes CEO in his stead

2008: Under Green’s leadership, WYGC opens the Medicare A certified and Joint Commission accredited Windhaven Psychiatric Hospital in Prescott Valley

2012: Administrative offices open in Prescott Valley

2015: Chino Valley Outpatient Center opens

2017: The Crisis Stabilization Unit opens in Prescott Valley

2019: Green retires after 14 years of leadership and Tamara Player becomes CEO of WYGC

2020: Throughout the pandemic, WYGC continued to serve current and new clients via telehealth and door-to-door visits.  The CSU doors remained open 24/7 for anyone experiencing a crisis

2021: WYGC introduces it's new name POLARA HEALTH.  While our name is changing, it is important for our community to know that we have the same caring staff, proving the same great services.

2022: The Camp Verde Clinic opens

2023: The Healing Place opens in Prescott.

Accreditation & Policies

Polara Health is licensed through the Arizona Office of Medical Facilities Licensure. Polara Health earned re-accreditation in 2018 from the Joint Commission. Should you want to report concerns about client safety and quality of care, please contact Polara Health Management or the Joint Commission. Polara Health’s Windhaven Psychiatric Hospital became Medicare A certified in 2010, which is another demonstration of our agency’s focus on high-quality care and patient safety.

To raise an issue with Administration, or to file a complaint or grievance, call the Office of Client Relations at (928) 445-5211, ext 3613. Also, should you need oral interpreter services and services for the hearing impaired, those will be provided for you.

Compliance: “Do the right thing”

Polara Health Chief Operations & Compliance Officer is Kara Langley

The hotline should be used to report serious concerns supported by specific facts that can be verified by investigation regarding suspected or known instances of fraud, or violations of the Code of Ethics or law. Calls to the hotline will not be traced or recorded. Callers to the hotline may remain anonymous. If callers choose to identify themselves, their identity will be kept confidential to the fullest extent possible or as permitted by law.