Healthcare Anchor Network
Join a growing national collaboration of 70+ leading healthcare systems building more inclusive and sustainable local economies
You can’t create equitable health outcomes for America’s communities without tackling the underlying economic and racial disparities that drive them—the structural determinants of health. Healthcare Anchor Network members are committed to making sure their institutional and operational resources are aligned with their clinical mission.
It is undeniable: Racism is a public health crisis
40 health systems in 45 states and Washington, DC have committed to addressing racism and the public health disparities caused by racism. “As members and leaders of many healthcare organizations across the nation addressing the disproportionate Black and Brown mortality of the COVID-19 pandemic, we say without hesitation that Black Lives Matter.”
“Systemic racism results in generational trauma and poverty, while also unquestionably causing higher rates of illness and death in Black and Indigenous communities and communities of color. We must double down on our efforts. We stand united as frontline organizations against racism, injustice and inaction and commit to specific steps to help overcome the healthcare disparities in the communities we serve.”
Join the Healthcare Anchor Network to…
With 70+ health systems (and counting) represented in the Network, we bring together anchor institutions from across the country that together employ more than 2 million people, purchase over $75 billion annually, and have over $150 billion in investment assets.
The Healthcare Anchor Network spotlighted in the New York Times
Featured News: When a Steady Paycheck Is Good Medicine
The New York Times traces the genesis of the Healthcare Anchor Network model for anchor institution engagement with the democratic economy from its origins in Cleveland with the Evergreen Cooperatives. It follows this thread through the creation of the Healthcare Anchor Network, which brings together hospitals and health systems in an increasingly impactful collaboration to align the nonprofit healthcare sector as a whole with what we have called the “anchor mission.”
The latest news from the field
Supporting the economic health of neighborhoods
HAN members Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals have launched the Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Supplier Accelerator that aims to support local businesses owned by traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs including minorities, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The first cohort of five business owners will participate in a six-month training to expand the knowledge and impact of their businesses, including learning the…
Continue Reading Supporting the economic health of neighborhoods
Facilitating purchasing from local, diverse & disadvantaged companies
HAN member RWJBarnabas Health’s Social Impact & Community Investment practice (SICI) co-chairs a quarterly Corporate Anchor Roundtable (CAR) meeting with RWJBarnabas Health President and Chief Executive Officer Barry H. Ostrowsky in which discussions highlight the successful implementation of the anchor mission (Hire Local, Buy Local, Invest Local). Asset leaders and internal stakeholder leads also review opportunities, including further adoption of…
Continue Reading Facilitating purchasing from local, diverse & disadvantaged companies
Community Based Design to address health inequity
HAN member Cone Health is partnering with Guilford County on a new Social Innovation team, which will be made up of six to eight people from both organizations. The team is aiming to address health inequities and will use Community Based Design to engage with members of the community to determine barriers that most impact their ability to…
Continue Reading Community Based Design to address health inequity
Partnerships for community strength & financial capital
Build Healthy Places’ case study highlights HAN member Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System along with the City of Spartanburg, Mary Black Foundation, Spartanburg Community Foundation, Wofford College, the Voyagers (a resident leadership group engaged in community activism), and private citizens as stakeholders in the Northside Development Group (NDG). NDG manages “the redevelopment of the Northside community area through expansion of mixed-income housing, economic,…
Continue Reading Partnerships for community strength & financial capital
Hospital and Health System Members of the Healthcare Anchor Network include:
Affiliate Members in the Healthcare Anchor Network include:
“An anchor mission means sustainably investing in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, addressing not just health disparities, but economic and racial inequities as well.”
–– David Zuckerman, President & Founder of the Healthcare Anchor Network
