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NYC Health + Hospitals Facilities Among the Most Racially Inclusive in NYC and the United States
Apr 01, 2022
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that four of its hospitals are ranked among the “50 Most Racially Inclusive Hospitals in America” by the 2021 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. Metropolitan, Harlem, Queens, and Lincoln are recognized for how well they serve people of color in their surrounding communities. More than 2,800 hospitals were evaluated for this report. Metropolitan and Harlem ranked among the top ten, with Queens and Lincoln placing #14 and #44 in the country, respectively:
The report also ranks Metropolitan as the #1 most racially inclusive hospital in New York State.
To create the rankings, the Institute used Medicare claims from 2020 to assess how well the demographics of a hospital’s Medicare patients match the demographics of the hospital’s surrounding communities. Each hospital’s racial inclusivity score reflects how well the demographics of the hospital’s “community area” (containing people who the hospital could serve) compare to the demographics of the patient population (who the hospital does serve). The community area is determined using the ZIP codes of a hospital’s Medicare patients and includes a travel time adjustment.
The Institute used Census data to determine the proportions of certain racial/ethnic groups in both the hospital patient zip codes and community area zip codes in the 65+ population. Hospitals received higher scores if they had higher patient counts from zip codes with greater proportions of non-White patients compared to their community area.
“No one should have to leave their neighborhood and travel for an extended period of time in order to get high-quality, comprehensive healthcare. That’s why our hospitals, Gotham Health clinics, and post-acute/long-term care facilities are close to home for many New Yorkers,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. ‘We are proud to be recognized for the great care our public health care system provides, regardless of a person’s race, zip code, immigration status or ability to pay.”
“With both COVID-19 and a slow pandemic of chronic health conditions disproportionately impacting people of color, it’s essential that hospitals are there to help those most in need,” said Lown Institute President Vikas Saini, MD. “Racially inclusive hospitals like these in the NYC Health + Hospitals system are leading the way.”
“We are honored to be ranked at the top of the list of hospitals in the 2022 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan CEO Cristina Contreras. “For the second year in a row, Metropolitan is recognized for racial inclusivity, as the most racially inclusive hospital in New York. This recognition, which reflects on the first year of COVID-19, celebrates our commitment to our mission: to serve all New Yorkers without exception. Every day our hardworking staff commit themselves to this mission, to ensure that we provide the highest quality care to the people in our community, especially those most in need. Our goal is to make this hospital a true reflection of the community we serve.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem practices inclusivity in spirit and in truth. Our staff reflects the gorgeous mosaic of the Village of Harlem. Our patients and staff embody all of the textures and hues that our world has to offer,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem CEO Georges H. Leconte, MPA, FAB, RRT. “We are honored to be recognized as one of the most racially inclusive hospitals in America by the 2021 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility.”
“All of the residents of Queens have the right to receive safe and high-quality healthcare without having to leave their neighborhood to get the care they need,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens CEO Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE. “Our hospital serves the most diverse communities in the nation, and we are proud to be recognized as one of the most racially inclusive hospitals in America. We believe deeply in our mission to provide all people with access to exceptional care, and we are committed to overcoming the deep-seated inequities that continue to threaten the health and well-being of underserved communities.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is honored to be recognized as a top racially inclusive hospital in the South Bronx,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln CEO Christopher Roker, MBA. “Our goal is to be the community’s hospital of choice, where high-quality, comprehensive healthcare is available within the neighborhood. We focus on the well-being of our patients, which starts with concentrating on the well-being of our staff. If staff is fulfilled, if they feel appreciated and valued, then it’s much easier for them to focus on providing exemplary care for our patients and the community we serve. It’s also important for our patients to see themselves and their culture represented in their care team.”
Founded in 1973 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Bernard Lown, MD, developer of the defibrillator and cardioverter, the Lown Institute believes that a radically better system of health is possible and generates bold ideas towards that goal. The Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is a signature project of the Institute and features measures never used before like racial inclusivity, avoidance of overuse, and pay equity.