BOSTON – Boston Medical Center (BMC) has been awarded top grades by the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan healthcare think tank, for its achievements and efforts in health equity, clinical excellence, and community collaborations. BMC received an “A” grade for social responsibility, which combined metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, from more than 3,500 U.S. hospitals and 300 health systems nationwide.
BMC’s outreach extends beyond its walls to the neighborhoods it serves. BMC Health System founded its Health Equity Accelerator, an ambitious and aggressive initiative that aims to eliminate the race-based health equity gaps in five clinical areas where major disparities exist including cancer, infectious diseases, chronic conditions, behavioral health, and pregnancy. Additionally, BMC offers programs such as BMC Curbside Care for Moms and Babies to eliminate barriers to care, such as transportation and childcare, by bringing perinatal care right outside their homes. Mothers and babies receive wellness checks, lactation support, and immunization during the first six weeks of life.
BMC also received “A” grades from the Lown Institute for Health Equity, Racial Inclusivity, Inclusivity, Community Benefit, Value of Care, and Avoiding Overuse. In addition, BMC was ranked #1 in Massachusetts for Inclusivity.
“We are honored to be recognized for our work in delivering extraordinary and empathetic solutions that make life healthier and more equitable for the communities we serve,” said Anthony Hollenberg, MD, President of Boston Medical Center. “As an equity-led academic medical center, we are dedicated to pioneering innovative care models and advancing programs that address social determinants of health, designed collaboratively with and for our patients and communities."
“Great care is only great if everyone can access it,” said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. “We need hospitals that are not only leaders in clinical care, but also strong community partners —and these socially responsible hospitals are showing the way.”
In the fifth annual rankings, the 2024-25 Lown Index evaluates hospitals on over 50 measures including novel metrics such as community benefit, racial inclusivity, and avoidance of overuse. Data sources include Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage claims, CMS patient safety data and hospital cost reports, and IRS 990 forms, among others. Full methodology can be found on the Lown Index website.
About Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center models a new kind of excellence in healthcare, where innovative and equitable care empowers all patients to thrive. We combine world-class clinicians and cutting-edge treatments with compassionate, quality care that extends beyond our walls. As an award-winning health equity leader, our diverse clinicians and staff interrogate racial disparities in care and partner with our community to dismantle systemic inequities. And as a national leader in research and the teaching affiliate for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, we’re driving the future of care.