07/09/2025
Please Join Us in Celebrating Harbor Regional Health Being Recognized as the #1 Acute Care Hospital in Washington for Community Benefit by the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan healthcare think tank renowned for advancing socially responsible healthcare nationwide.
The recognition is part of the Lown Institute’s 2025–26 Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, which evaluates more than 3,500 hospitals across the country.
Harbor Regional Health also earned A grades in three key categories:
• Community Benefit
• Pay Equity
• Avoiding Overuse
What #1 in Community Benefit Means
Harbor Regional Health was honored for exceeding expectations in:
• Providing financial assistance to patients in need, including $2.25 million in charity care in 2024 alone.
• Caring for a high share of Medicaid patients, who make up 26% of Harbor Regional Health’s patient population. Another reflection of our role as a safety net hospital is that over 50% of our patients are covered by Medicare.
• Investing in primary care and preventive services that support the health of the broader community.
Leading with Equity and Integrity
The health system’s “A” grade in Pay Equity reflects a notably narrow gap between executive compensation and frontline worker wages, signaling Harbor’s commitment to valuing every team member—from environmental services to executive leadership.
Harbor Regional Health also earned an “A” in Avoiding Overuse, recognizing its focus on providing evidence-based care while avoiding unnecessary or potentially harmful procedures—an essential component of both quality and cost-effective care.
These top marks reflect the organization’s commitment to delivering high-value care, promoting equity, and putting patients and communities before profits.
“This is more than just a ranking, it’s national recognition of the values we’ve worked hard to embed in our organization,” said Tom Jensen, CEO of Harbor Regional Health. “Over the past five years, we’ve been focused on transforming our culture and improving the patient experience. Every step has been about putting people first. To be named the top hospital in Washington for community benefit is an incredible honor, and proof that rural hospitals can lead in big ways.”
A Holistic Measure of Hospital Impact
Unlike traditional rankings focused solely on clinical outcomes, the Lown Index measures hospitals on more than 50 indicators, including inclusivity, financial assistance, community investment, overuse of low-value care, and fair wages. Hospitals cannot apply or pay to be listed; results are based on independent analysis of publicly available data including IRS Form 990s, CMS cost reports, and Medicare claims.
“Hospitals at the top of our Index show an enduring commitment to health equity that is in dire need at this moment,” said Dr. Vikas Saini, President of the Lown Institute. “In this uncertain environment, it’s more important than ever to support these strong community partners.”
