CLINTON, Md. – MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center has been recognized for its success as a high-performing hospital providing excellent care to patients in underserved communities. The hospital is among 53 regional hospitals in the U.S. and the only hospital in Prince George’s County and the Southern Maryland region recognized for providing high-quality care to underserved populations.
The list of “Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access” was revealed at an exclusive event, “The State of Equity in America,” held by U.S. News & World Report.“Healthcare disparities in traditionally underserved communities is a real-world issue that we are committed to solving,” said Stephen Michaels, MD, president of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. “This recognition is a testament to our entire team’s dedication to health equity in Prince George’s County.”
Over the past several years, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center has committed to creating accessible and comprehensive healthcare programs that meet the community’s diverse needs, including:
- The opening of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, which marked its fourth anniversary as a cancer center in the region in 2024 to complement the hospital’s 40-plus years of providing integrated cancer services in Prince George’s County.
- The addition of new cardiac services such as the advanced heart failure program and innovative minimally invasive catheterization procedures, improving the heart health of people throughout the county.
- Primary stroke center designation, allowing MedStar Southern Maryland to serve the community with the highest level of stroke care 24/7.
- The hospital’s community outreach services, which address health disparities in Southern Maryland’s underserved patient populations with programs such as the Community Baby Shower, where expecting mothers access critical prenatal and postpartum resources, the community caregivers workshop, and the HRSA Healthy Start Grant aimed at improving health outcomes for mothers and babies before, during, and after pregnancy.
“I’m very proud of the work we do every day to advance healthcare access and provide the highest quality care to members of our community regardless of their background or circumstances,” Michaels said. “The need for equitable access to quality care is ever-growing in communities throughout the region and the country. From our community outreach efforts to the growth of leading class care delivery systems, this recognition demonstrates MedStar Southern Maryland’s unwavering commitment to patients throughout the region.”
U.S. News identified 53 hospitals in the U.S. that received a Best Regional Hospital designation in 2023 and met at least two of the following criteria:
- Had 40% or more of its patients from a community of greater socioeconomic deprivation (according to the Area Deprivation Index)
- Served 20% or more racial/ethnic minority patients or was in the highest tier in at least 1 of 5 measures of racial and ethnic patient representation
- Served 20% or more Medicaid patients or was in the highest tier in the measure of low-income patient representation.
“This ‘Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access’ honor highlights the important and necessary work MedStar Southern Maryland is committed to as we work to break down barriers to accessible, high-quality healthcare in our community,” added Michaels. “We have accomplished so much, but there’s still much work to be done to continue addressing the social and economic challenges that exist.”
According to U.S. News & World Report, a hospital that has earned a “Best” designation may be a good option for people to consider, in consultation with their medical provider.
For more information on U.S. News’ Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access, explore Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) using #EquitableHospitals.
