Hackensack Meridian Health Ranked #1 in the U.S. on the 2023 DiversityInc Top Hospitals and Health Systems List

Third year in a row on distinguished list that recognizes initiatives to promote diverse, equitable and inclusive culture

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health care network, is proud to announce that it is ranked No. 1 in the nation on the 2023 DiversityInc Top Hospitals and Health Systems list, a prestigious honor that recognizes the network’s expansive efforts to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce and and to address disparities in health outcomes.

“Hackensack Meridian Health is deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across our network and ensuring that all communities have access to high-quality innovative  healthcare,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for these priorities and strategies that are having a real impact on our organization and in the communities we serve.’’

Since 2001, the survey has been the most comprehensive, empirically data-driven D&I analysis based on organization-submitted information from some of the largest U.S. employers. The assessment collects data across six key areas: Leadership Accountability, Human Capital Diversity Metrics, Talent Programs, Workplace Practices, Supplier Diversity and Philanthropy.  

“This is an absolute honor and Hackensack Meridian Health will continue to build a culture that reflects the diversity of our great state and ensures that everyone has a chance to thrive,’’ said Avonia Richardson-Miller, EdD, MA, CDE, senior vice president and Chief Diversity Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are equally committed to continuing to advance health equity in New Jersey and beyond.’’

The top-ranked health systems include:

1. Hackensack Meridian Health
2. City of Hope
3. Mayo Clinic
4. Linde
5. NYU Langone Health
6. Mount Sinai Health System
7. Cleveland Clinic
8. Wellstar Health System
9. The American Heart Association
10. H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

“With a 23% increase in overall participation and a 32% increase within the healthcare sector, these  rankings are based on employer-submitted data about their organizational policies, practices, and  procedures, not on employee sentiment or scraped from sources that cannot be validated,’’ said Carolynn Johnson, CEO of DiversityInc.  “These rankings also represent evidence-based,  superior human capital outcomes, only achieved by data transparency and an unwavering commitment to  workplace fairness for everyone.’’

Hackensack Meridian Health's DiversityInc ranking follows major initiatives in recent years that are part of the network's diversity, equity and inclusion strategy:

• Establishing a network-wide goal for tying executive compensation to measurable metrics focused on increasing the representation of underrepresented team members in leadership positions at HMH.
• The network relaunched the DEI Executive/Advisory Council, which is chaired by the CEO and the Chief Diversity Officer, a newly created position that elevated the role of the network's senior DEI official. The councils aligned the overall DEI Governance Structure with best practices to provide oversight of DEI efforts and strategies and monitor progress.
• HMH launched local site Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Councils chaired by site Hospital Presidents. The local DEI Councils will help each site identify and address localized health disparities and help the network resolve them.
• The network increased its spending with diverse suppliers to $77.6 million last year, up from $5.8 million the prior year.
• The network continues to address health equity and Joint Commission standards through a comprehensive strategy that includes the American TgeHospital Association’s Health Equity Assessment (HETA).
• Launched implicit and explicit bias training for all 36,000 team members. All team members are scheduled to be trained by Summer 2023.
• Planning 3nd Annual Day of Understanding as continued participation in the CEO Action Pledge. This program helps team members get comfortable with uncomfortable conversations about race, equality, equity, etc.
• Every Hackensack Meridian Health hospital was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in the 2022 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Eleven network hospitals earned the coveted "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader" designation. Additionally, two network hospitals earned the "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer" designation. This designation signals to LGBTQ patients and allies that the healthcare facility has met the foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care.
• Launched Maternal Health Blue Ribbon Task Force to address unacceptable disparities in maternal outcomes in New Jersey. The Maternal Health Awareness Symposium in January included participation by NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy.
• Through the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the network is working to make sure New Jersey's physicians reflect the communities they serve. More than one-third of the 2023 graduating class are from communities of color. A diverse physician workforce will get us closer to improving health outcomes for all communities.