Lakeside Medical Center Recognized as One of Florida’s Top Five Hospitals for Inclusivity and Health Equity
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s teaching hospital, Lakeside Medical Center, has been recognized by the Lown Institute for excellence in health equity and inclusivity. The institute awarded Lakeside Medical Center an "A" grade in both categories on the 2023-2024 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. Additionally, Lakeside Medical Center also received an “A” grade in Community Benefit, highlighting the hospital’s contributions to the community’s well-being.
The Lown Institute, a non-partisan think tank that advocates for a just healthcare system, evaluated Lakeside Medical Center against more than 3,600 hospitals nationwide, ranking it number three out of 168 hospitals in Florida for Health Equity and number three out of 161 hospitals in Florida for Inclusivity. Nationally, the hospital ranked 129th for Health Equity and 75th for Inclusivity.
The Inclusivity component evaluates the extent to which a hospital’s patient population reflects the demographics of the community in which it is located, based on race, income and education levels. This metric was developed using claims from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file (MEDPAR) and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey from 2021. The Equity grade looks at Inclusivity, as well as Community Benefit and Pay Equity to evaluate a hospital’s commitment to community health and civic leadership.
"The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is immensely proud of Lakeside Medical Center's recognition for performance in health equity, inclusivity and community benefit," stated Darcy J. Davis, Health Care District CEO. "This acknowledgment highlights our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive healthcare environment and serving the diverse needs of our community."
Many Glades residents are underserved, uninsured, and suffer from chronic health conditions like diabetes. To expand access to primary care, one of the Health Care District’s community health centers is co-located on the hospital’s Belle Glade campus where adults and children in the Glades receive high-quality medical, dental, pharmacy, women’s health and behavioral health services regardless of their ability to pay.
"The dedication of the Lakeside Medical Center team in collaboration with our incredible network of community partners allows us to help meet the unique healthcare needs of the Glades region," said Janet Moreland, Associate Vice President and Hospital Administrator at Lakeside Medical Center. "This recognition underscores our ongoing dedication to provide inclusive, acute care to each patient who enters our hospital doors.”
In 2022, the Lown Institute recognized Lakeside Medical Center as the most racially inclusive hospital in the nation, ranking it number one among 2,800 facilities. Earlier this year, Lakeside Medical Center received recognition from the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) for the hospital’s efforts ensuring the safety of patients and healthcare staff in the operating room. In June 2023, the eleventh class of Family Medicine Residents graduated from the hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is the only ranking to include metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, creating a holistic view of hospitals as total community partners. In the fourth annual and largest set of rankings to date, the 2023-24 Lown Index evaluates hospitals on more than measures--including novel metrics such as community benefit, racial inclusivity, and avoidance of overuse--for more than 3,600 hospitals nationwide. 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.
