Local Medical Center to Address Systemic Racism in Health

Maimonides Medical Center, a key partner in Brooklyn Communities Collaborative’s (BCC) work addressing structural causes of inequality, joined 39 leading health systems in 45 states in committing to take action against public health disparities. The statement was released through the Healthcare Anchor Network, a nationwide collaboration between health systems working to improve community health. This commitment reinforces BCC’s and Maimonides’ mission to leverage community resources to create economic opportunities for long-discriminated and neglected communities. BCC continues to work with Maimonides and local partners to invest in programs addressing housing stability, economic empowerment, care management services, and strengthening CBOs.

“There is no doubt: racism is a threat to the health and lives of the very people we are supposed to serve. Together with health systems from around the country, we are committing to building upon our work and ensuring that we help make a difference,” said Ken Gibbs, President and CEO at Maimonides Medical Center. “We’ve seen just a small part of what we can accomplish so far with the Brooklyn Communities Collaborative. Together, we’ve supported and expanded critical services for Brooklynites, but this work is only just beginning. With BCC, we will show how community-led initiatives can successfully advance equity in this tumultuous time.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the healthcare inequities in our system. It is time for hospitals and other leading institutions to step up and take meaningful action,” said Roger Green, former member of the NYS Assembly and BCC Board Member. “By harnessing the power of our local communities and focusing on the issues that matter most to them, we can make a real difference in closing gaps and saving lives. Maimonides’ partnership in this effort has made our work possible, and we look forward to continuing to serve residents of Brooklyn and ensure they live healthier and longer lives.”

In the joint statement, Maimonides commits to the following steps to overcome long-standing disparities:

• Providing testing and direct care for COVID-19
• Implementing inclusive, local hiring through workforce development programs
• Directing funding towards diverse and locally-owned vendors in the procurement process
• Investing in programs that directly address poor health outcomes
• Tracking progress and outcomes in these initiatives through a racial equity lens
• Committing to listening and actively engaging with patients and colleagues of color

The full statement can be read here.