Saint Michael’s Medical Center has been named the top hospital in New Jersey for health equity and inclusivity, according to the 2026 Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. This national ranking evaluates more than 3,600 hospitals across the United States based on their commitment to equitable care, community investment, and clinical excellence.
The Lown Institute’s annual index is unique in that it moves beyond traditional clinical metrics to assess how well hospitals serve their communities. The ranking utilizes over 50 distinct metrics, weighing factors such as health equity, high-value care, patient outcomes, and community benefit.
“The best hospitals aren’t just clinically excellent, they’re deeply committed to the communities they serve and work hard to ensure all patients get the care they need,” Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, said. “High performance on the Lown Index shows that hospitals are doing more of what matters to patients and communities.”
In addition to its top ranking in equity and inclusivity, Saint Michael’s earned “A” grades across every major category evaluated by the Lown Institute, including:
- Patient Outcomes and Clinical Outcomes
- Patient Safety and Cost Efficiency
- Community Benefit and Pay Equity
For Saint Michael’s, the recognition is a validation of the hospital’s long-standing mission to bridge the gap in healthcare disparities.
“Being ranked No. 1 in New Jersey for health equity and inclusivity demonstrates that excellent healthcare and equitable healthcare can go hand in hand,” Dr. Alan Sickles, CEO of Saint Michael’s Medical Center, said. “This recognition reflects our commitment to ensuring that every member of our community has access to high-quality care and that our services are responsive to the needs of the people we serve.”
This latest accolade follows a period of significant achievement for the Newark-based facility. Saint Michael’s recently secured its fifth consecutive “A” grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group and remains the only hospital in Newark to hold a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
These milestones coincide with the hospital’s tenth anniversary as part of Prime Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest physician-founded and physician-led health systems, which has focused on stabilizing and modernizing the facility’s care offerings over the past decade.
