SUNY’s University Hospital at Downstate Earns “A” for Health Equity
By Office of Communications & Marketing | Sep 24, 2024
Brooklyn, NY— SUNY Downstate’s University Hospital at Downstate (UHD) received an “A” grade for Health Equity in the 2024-25 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, further affirming the hospital’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to Brooklyn residents. Downstate also ranked #1 in New York State among academic safety-net hospitals and #2 in the nation, highlighting its leadership in healthcare equity.
University Hospital at Downstate achieved top marks across several categories, including Community Benefit, Inclusivity, Pay Equity, and Avoiding Overuse—placing it among the leading hospitals in New York State and nationally for its dedication to serving its vibrant and diverse community.
Key Rankings:
- Health Equity Grade: A — Evaluates the hospital’s commitment to community health, inclusivity, and pay equity.
- Community Benefit Grade: A — Recognizes financial assistance, community health initiatives, and Medicaid service provision.
- Inclusivity Grade: A — Highlights how well the hospital’s patient population reflects the local community’s demographics.
- Pay Equity Grade: A — Assesses the pay gap between senior hospital executives and housekeeping staff, demonstrating a commitment to fair compensation.
As Brooklyn’s only academic medical center and home to the borough’s oldest kidney transplant program, UHD remains a vital lifeline for life-saving care while solidifying its role as a trusted healthcare provider. As one of Brooklyn’s top employers, Downstate takes pride in an inclusive environment that reflects the borough’s diverse communities. Through collaborative efforts, UHD ensures equitable pay across all levels of staff, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity.
This dedication to equity and community health is at the heart of UHD’s recently launched #KeepCareClose campaign, a strategic initiative to make high-quality healthcare accessible to all residents of Brooklyn without the need to leave their neighborhood.
By focusing on fairness, equal access, and high-quality care, UHD ensures that Brooklyn’s diverse communities receive the healthcare they need. The hospital strives to avoid unnecessary treatments, helping lower costs while ensuring patients get the most beneficial care and setting a solid example of responsible and community-focused healthcare.
“#KeepCareClose is more than a campaign; it is UHD’s promise to the people of Brooklyn that they can receive exceptional, compassionate care without leaving their community,” said University Hospital at Downstate’s chief executive officer David H. Berger, M.D., MHCM, FACS. “This recognition from the Lown Institute underscores our mission of equity and excellence in healthcare, and we are proud to lead the way.”
The Lown Institute Hospitals Index ranking is the only national system that evaluates hospitals on social responsibility metrics, including health equity, community impact, and patient care. More than 3,500 hospitals were analyzed using over 50 data points to provide a holistic view of each institution’s performance. SUNY Downstate’s top rankings reflect its continued dedication to reducing health disparities and ensuring every Brooklyn resident can access world-class healthcare services.
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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (SUNY) 64-campus system and the only SUNY AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough’s 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate’s exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.