NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the second year in a row, Northwell Health has been named the best health system for diversity in the United States, according to the latest DiversityInc ranking of Top Hospitals and Health Systems.
New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer made the list for the ninth straight year and remained in the top spot in the 2021 DiversityInc rankings for Hospitals and Health Systems.
The DiversityInc ranking is a reflection of Northwell Heath’s decade-long journey toward the tenets of diversity, inclusion and health equity for its team members, patients and communities. In partnership with the Healthcare Anchor Network, Northwell was one of the first health systems to declare racism as a public health crisis.
The foundation laid has been instrumental in addressing the health and racial inequities unveiled by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. No health system treated more COVID-19 cases – more than 191,000 patients – over a 13-month span as it collaborated with state and local government to aggressively roll out diagnostic testing and then vaccination efforts to underserved communities across New York City, Long Island and Westchester.
“We are extremely proud of this important recognition and also recognize this journey continues. We know that equity, diversity, and inclusion matters to our mission and is at the heart of all that we believe, value and do for our team members, patients and communities,” said Maxine Carrington, Northwell’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “We believe a supportive and inclusive work environment, where everyone feels valued and included, contributes to our overall care for our patients and communities.”
Northwell was recognized nationally for its commitment to integrating the tenets of diversity, inclusion and health equity into its health care delivery strategy with a focus on enhancing the health and wellness needs of the underserved communities and the diverse patients it serves.
DiversityInc examined companies using a 200-question survey that focused on six key areas: Leadership accountability, human capital diversity metrics, talent programs, workforce practices, supplier diversity and philanthropy. Northwell’s 76,000-strong workforce is a reflection of the communities they serve: one of the nation’s most diverse populations.
“The pandemic unveiled the importance of our human connection and the realization of our vulnerabilities. When neighboring communities don’t have the opportunity to be healthy, our entire ecosystem is effected, placing us all at risk,” said Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. “This requires us all to be active partners in addressing health care disparities. On our journey to health equity, Northwell has been intentional with formalized strategies, dedicated resources and the implementation of an expanded health care delivery model which fosters a partnership with our communities to provide culturally customized care.”
In addition to the top Hospitals ranking, Northwell fared well on several other DiversityInc specialty lists. Northwell ranked eighth among top companies for Veterans, sixth for Latino Executives, No. 10 for Asian American Executives and No. 11 for Talent Acquisition for Women of Color.
“Addressing racial health disparities requires acknowledging the effects of structural racism on health status and requires us to be purposeful in re-designing our health care delivery policies through a health equity lens,” said Michael Wright, vice president of diversity and health equity. “The path forward requires our continued commitment to advancing and sustaining our focus on diversity, inclusion and health equity and harnessing the power of allyship as critical to this important work into the future.”
The latest recognition comes on the heels of another workforce honor: Northwell was named one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2020.
About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, 830 outpatient facilities and more than 16,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 76,000 employees – 18,900 nurses and 4,800 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
