Dr. Ram Raju Receives National Minority Quality Forum Award for Efforts to Reduce Health Care Disparities
Apr 12, 2016
Dr. Ram Raju, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, this week received the “Booker T. Washington Award” from theNational Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) for his efforts to advance diversity in the field, reduce health care disparities, and provide equitable care to all patients.
Dr. Raju accepted the award on April 11 at NMQF’s “Leadership Summit on Health Disparities and Congressional Black Caucus Spring Health Braintrust” in Washington, D.C.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all the staff at NYC Health + Hospitals who work every day to provide exceptional health care and a positive patient experience to over one million patients each year, regardless of their ability to pay and regardless of their immigration status,” said Dr. Raju. “We proudly reflect the gorgeous mosaic of the City and consider cultural and linguistic diversity among our greatest assets. We are strongly committed to our mission of offering quality care to all New Yorkers.”
“Dr. Raju is committed to making sure NYC Health + Hospitals provides each and every person who comes through their doors with high-quality, safe and equitable care,” said Tomás León, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association-affiliated Institute for Diversity in Health Management, who presented Dr. Raju the award. “Through his leadership, NYC Health + Hospitals created a 2020 Vision Plan – a roadmap to enhance equitable care that builds on their strengths to increase workforce diversity, build sustainable communities and improve the patient experience and outcomes. I am honored to be able to present the award to such a deserving health care leader.”
The National Minority Quality Forum is a Washington, DC-based not-for-profit, non-partisan, independent research and education organization founded in 1998 that is dedicated to improving the quality of health care that is available for and provided to all populations.
Booker T. Washington established National Negro Health Week in 1915. The award in his name “recognizes work to promote well-being in minority communities, reduce disparities in care and ensure all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, have access to high-quality hospital care.”
Contact: Ian Michaels, 212-788-3339
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation with a network of 11 hospitals including six regional trauma centers, community-based health centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, and a correctional health services unit. The system includes a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlusHealth. The health system provides essential services to 1.2 million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the five boroughs. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees are uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. Visit nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected: https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem/ or Twitter@NYCHealthSystem.