Lee Health announced this week that it is ranked fourth out of 311 health systems in the United States as one of the most socially responsible by the Lown Institute. All Lee Health acute care hospitals also received “A” grades in various metrics.

This is the health system’s second year in a row ranking in the top five in the country for its commitment to social responsibility and health equity. Lee Memorial Hospital, which includes HealthPark Medical Center under the same license, ranked number one in Florida for social responsibility and was also in the top 5 in Florida for value of care and avoiding overuse.

The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility is the only ranking to combine metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes, for more than 2,700 acute care and 800 critical access hospitals across the nation.

The Lown Index evaluates hospitals on more than 50 measures, including community benefit, racial inclusivity and avoidance of overuse. The Lown Institute was launched in 2020 as the first ranking system to assess the social responsibility of U.S. hospitals by applying measures, including diversity, pay equity, and limiting unnecessary procedures and treatments for patients.

Lee Health as a system of care placed fourth in the U.S. for health equity, value of care and patient safety.

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

Learn more at LeeHealth.org.