A National Honor for Equity of Care Efforts

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A national honor for equity of care efforts

Main Line Health has been focused on equity for more than a decade as ensuring the voice of every staff member and patient counts is vital in a culture of caring. That effort was rewarded with the System’s selection by the American Hospital Association (AHA) as the 2024 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, Transforming Winner.

The honor came just one year after the AHA honored Main Line Health with its Quest for Quality Award, presented annually to recognize exceptional healthcare leadership and innovation in improving quality and advancing health in America’s communities. Diversity efforts were pivotal to earning the Quest for Quality Award.

“By recognizing us the year after they honored the System with the AHA Quest for Quality Prize shows our long track record of progress in diversity, equity and inclusion is groundbreaking,” said Rosangely Cruz-Rojas, DrPH, Vice President and Chief Diversity and Equity Officer, Main Line Health. “Healthcare is human care at Main Line Health, and I am grateful to all our employees for their contribution toward this recognition. There is always more to do, of course, and we pledge to continue on this path.”

Main Line Health’s commitment to diversity, respect, equity and inclusion is embodied in workforce representation and community collaborations, evident with diversity and representation on the Board of Governors, in leadership roles, among physicians, and in creating more internal growth pathways for all staff.

Main Line Health stratifies more than 100quality and safety metrics by race, ethnicity, language, gender, age, ZIP code and other characteristics. Also, Main Line Health as embedded healthcare equity metrics and initiatives in its clinical environment and service lines while creating accountability for senior leaders and the board.

In addition, Main Line Health partners with the Together for West Philadelphia coalition and Community Volunteers in Medicine to foster collaboration among healthcare institutions and community organizations.

“Unfortunately, disparity of care in healthcare is something too many in this country experience, said Jack Lynch, FACHE, President, and CEO, Main Line Health. “At Main Line Health, along with our colleagues at the American Hospital Association, we are committed to identifying these disparities and doing everything we can to eliminate them. I am extremely proud of the progress we have made, but as Dr. Cruz-Rojas said, there is more to do.”

The AHA listed numerous initiatives for recognizing Main Line Health as the Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, Transforming Winner:

  • We continue to expand our screening for social determinants of health and connect patients to needed social resources. In the Emergency Department, patients screening positive for food insecurity are provided with a food bag and community resources.
  • Continuous improvement in the patient care experience, a top priority for Main Line Health, is accomplished through employee training programs and accountability measures, ensuring that patient experience goals flow through all levels of the organization.
  • Initiatives like diversity, equity and inclusion training for all employees and leaders and implementing employee resource groups, lunch and learns, and listening circles contribute to a culture focused on delivering equitable care and fostering a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities served.