WakeMed Earns “A” for Social Responsibility on National Ranking

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 21, 2023) – WakeMed made the Lown Institute’s 2023-24 list of the nation’s most socially responsible hospitals and health systems. All three hospitals – WakeMed Cary Hospital, WakeMed North Hospital, and WakeMed Raleigh Campus – achieved “A” grades across metrics of health equity, value of care, and patient outcomes.

The WakeMed system ranked #2 of 16 hospital systems in North Carolina for Social Responsibility. Additionally, WakeMed Raleigh Campus ranked #1 in North Carolina for Fair Share Spending, a measure of how much a hospital gives back to its community. WakeMed Cary Hospital came in first in the state for Clinical Outcomes, which reflects how well a hospital keeps patients alive and prevents return trips. Data from WakeMed Raleigh Campus and WakeMed North Hospital, which operates under the Raleigh Campus license, were combined for this performance ranking.

“When communities have access to socially responsible healthcare, our nation grows stronger,” said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. “That’s why it’s so important to hold up these high-performing hospitals as examples for others to follow.”

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 50+ 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.

The Lown Institute is a nonpartisan think tank that generates bold ideas for a radically better system of health.

These are independent rankings and hospitals do not apply or pay to be listed.

Learn more at www.LownHospitalsIndex.org.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 970-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 90 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 10,300 employees, 1,400 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 700 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

###