CHA Earns National Recognition as a Hospital Leader
One of the top 10 hospitals in the nation for Health Equity, and #1 in Massachusetts for Community Benefit
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), a community health system serving Boston's metro-north communities, has received national recognition from the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan healthcare think tank. CHA was named one of the top ten hospitals in the nation for Health Equity, for programs and actions that give everyone the opportunity to live a healthy life, and the number one hospital in Massachusetts (with an A grade) for Community Benefit, which looks at spending on charity care and community investments.
The 2025 Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility examined more than 3,600 hospitals on over 50 metrics of health equity, value, and outcomes. CHA achieved this honor through strong performance across metrics of community benefit, pay equity, and inclusivity.
"Improving health is the heart of our mission," said Assaad Sayah, MD, CEO of Cambridge Health Alliance. "To achieve this, we need to make sure that everyone has access to quality health care and has every chance to live healthy and fulfilling lives. We are thrilled that our work is recognized by the Lown Institute and other industry leaders and we will continue to strive for excellence in our hospitals, health centers, and community programs."
CHA also performed well in other Lown Institute measures, earning a total of six “A” grades in the 2025 Index. In addition to Community Benefit and Health Equity, CHA received top marks for Avoiding Overuse, Inclusivity, Pay Equity, and Social Responsibility. This is the fifth consecutive year that CHA has received A grades in one of these metrics.
Founded in 1973 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Bernard Lown, MD, developer of the defibrillator and cardioverter, the Lown Institute believes that a radically better system of health is possible and generates bold ideas towards that goal. The Lown Hospitals Index, a signature project of the Institute, is the first ranking to assess the social responsibility of U.S. hospitals by applying measures never used before like racial inclusivity, avoidance of overuse, and pay equity.
Cambridge Health Alliance is an academic community health system committed to providing high-quality care in Cambridge, Somerville and Boston’s metro-north communities. CHA has expertise in primary care, specialty care and mental health/substance use services, as well as caring for diverse and complex populations. It includes two hospital campuses, a network of primary care and specialty practices, and the Cambridge Public Health Dept. CHA patients have seamless access to advanced care through the system’s affiliation with Beth Israel Lahey Health. CHA is a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate and is also affiliated with Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine.