ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (August 22, 2025) – For the second year in a row, the Lown Institute has ranked Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) the number one critical access hospital in Vermont and in the top 15 percent nationally for Social Responsibility.
The Lown Institute Hospital Index is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan think tank that, according to their web site, envisions “a healthcare system focused on what’s best for people, like hospitals caring for those most in need, patients living without fear of financial distress, and health professionals finding joy in their roles.”
While most hospital rankings focus on clinical outcomes, the Lown Index factors in a broader range of what hospitals do as care providers, employers, and community partners. “By setting these benchmarks,” their mission statement says, “we seek to shine a light on those hospitals that provide exceptional, high-value patient care to all who need it in their community — and encourage all hospitals to follow their example.”
Every year the Lown Institute Hospital Index evaluates hospitals’ social responsibility by measuring three primary metrics: outcomes, value and equity, highlighting hospitals that demonstrate an effective commitment to community health and civic leadership.
According to the institute’s criteria, social responsibility is reflected in everything from pay equity among hospital employees, cost efficiency, and how much a hospital spends on community health initiatives like substance abuse prevention, immunizations, or new parent classes.
Every three years, NVRH conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment, getting feedback from community members that helps NVRH identify challenges and priorities and create a plan to address them.
NVRH manages the regional Blueprint for Health programs and has provided Community Health Worker services for over 20 years. NVRH was also instrumental in establishing and supporting NEK Prosper!, an accountable health community that employs the principles of collective impact and uses results-based accountability™ to improve the lives of people living in Caledonia and southern Essex Counties.
During a time when hospitals across the state and the country are facing numerous challenges, including workforce shortages, rising costs, and Medicaid cuts, the Lown Institute’s recognition emphasizes the importance of the kind of community health initiatives and civic partnerships that NVRH has prioritized.
“NVRH’s commitment is not just to provide care inside the hospital, but to work hand-in-hand with community partners to build lasting solutions that improve health outcomes and quality of life across our community,” said Diana Gibbs, VP of Community Health Improvement at NVRH.