Lee Health announced this week that it has been ranked fourth most socially responsible among 311 health systems in the United States by the Lown Institute. All of Lee Health’s acute care hospitals also received “A” Grades in different metrics.

This is the second consecutive year that the health system has ranked among the top five in the nation for its commitment to social responsibility and health equity. Lee Memorial Hospital, which includes HealthPark Medical Center under the same license, ranked first in Florida for social responsibility and was also among the top five in Florida for value of care and overuse prevention.

The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is the only ranking that combines health equity and value of care metrics with patient outcomes for more than 2,700 acute care hospitals and 800 critical care hospitals nationwide.

The Lown Index rates hospitals on more than 50 criteria, including community value, racial inclusion, and avoiding overuse. Launched in 2020, the Lown Institute was the first rating system to evaluate the social responsibility of U.S. hospitals based on criteria such as diversity, pay equity, and limiting unnecessary procedures and treatments for patients.

As a care system, Lee Health ranks fourth in the United States in health equity, care value, and patient safety.

The Lown Institute honored Lee Memorial Hospital, HealthPark Medical Center, Cape Coral Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center “A” Scores in social responsibility, patient outcomes, clinical outcomes, patient safety, inclusivity and cost-effectiveness.

For more information, visit LeeHealth.org.