Hackensack Meridian Health Ranked First in the Nation on the 2024 Fair360 Top Hospitals and Healthcare Systems List   

Hackensack Meridian Health Ranked First in the Nation on the 2024 Fair360 Top Hospitals and Healthcare Systems List

This marks the fourth year in a row on distinguished list that recognizes initiatives to promote diverse, equitable and inclusive culture

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network, is proud to announce it is ranked No. 1 in the nation on the Fair360 2024 Top Hospitals and Healthcare Systems list, a prestigious honor that recognizes the network’s expansive efforts to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Fair360 also recognized the health network for being among the top 18 companies across industries in the nation for executive fairness councils. 

“Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to honoring diversity in our workplace and fostering an environment of inclusivity,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are proud of the work we’ve done to achieve this honor from Fair360, but we recognize that there is always more we can do to champion diversity within our network.”

Fair360, formerly DiversityInc, provides companies with data-driven insights to help develop fair and inclusive workplaces. Its annual evaluation recognizes U.S. employers for their excellence in promoting workplace fairness through talent strategy, supplier diversity practices and philanthropic engagement.

To create the Top Hospitals and Healthcare Systems list, survey submissions from employers with at least 750 employees in the United States were assessed within the context of their industries on verified policies, practices and procedures. Fair360’s specialty lists evaluate companies on group performance, and the list cutoff takes place where there is a significant difference between the top companies and the next runner-up. The list is industry specific and compiled using the same criteria to evaluate organizations as the Top 50 competition.

"The Fair360 Top 50 survey is a trusted tool for large U.S. employers to demonstrate their commitment to fostering workplace fairness and data transparency,” said Luke Visconti, Founder and Chairman of Fair360. “The data shows that over the long-term, companies that consistently put their employees first and have strong track records of respecting and embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, are stronger performers and better equipped to adapt to market conditions.”

Hackensack Meridian Health advances diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout  the organization. The  network-wide efforts include:

  • Enhanced Leadership Accountability
    • The network strengthened its DEI governance structure to further drive leadership accountability and increase diverse representation in its DEI Executive & Advisory Council.
    • Leveraged local site equity councils to drive leadership & accountability throughout the network to the local levels further driving the health system’s DEI and health equity strategy 
    • Increased our diverse leadership development programs; increased leadership pipeline reflective of the diverse communities we serve
  • Expanded Team Member Resource Groups
    • The network offers voluntary groups that are organized around shared interests or dimensions of diversity.  This past year, the organization increased overall membership and added a new group.
  • Advanced Equity Across the Network
    • Four Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals achieved The Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification, including Hackensack University Medical Center, which was the first in the nation to earn this recognition.
  • Strengthened Environmental, Social and Governance Commitment (ESG)
    • The network strengthened its ESG commitment, which it views as a natural extension of its work as a not-for-profit. ESG reflects its mission to build healthier communities, whether through good governance, addressing the impacts on climate and health or supporting the community members’ social needs. 
  • Supplier Diversity
    • The network is engaging and supporting local and diverse businesses with a focus on historically underrepresented business owners.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for serving our communities with a diverse and talented team whose unique perspectives lead our progressive, forward-thinking care,” said Avonia Richardson-Miller, E.d.D, MA, CDE®, senior vice president, chief diversity officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. “At Hackensack Meridian Health, we are committed to embedding DEI throughout our organization, not only as a goal, but as a fundamental aspect of how we operate and who we are. Through our efforts, we are cultivating a workplace where every individual feels valued and respected, and where our community members can count on equitable access to care.”

The 2024 Top Hospitals and Healthcare Systems list was announced at Fair360’s annual event which focused on “Bridging DEI & Strategic Business.” The event featured remarks from executives at BASF, EY, Gunster, The Hershey Company, Medtronic, New Jersey City University, TD Bank, Wells Fargo and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Charles Duhigg, author of Supercommunicators, spoke about unlocking the secret language of connection.

The entire list and other specialty lists can be viewed at www.fair360.com/top50.

For more information about the overall model with a Cronbach Alpha Reliability score of .93, visit www.Fair360.com/Methodology.

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