Only Massachusetts academic medical center in the national top 20; earns an "A" grade on the Lown Institute Hospitals Index
BOSTON | August 24, 2026 – Boston Medical Center (BMC) has been named one of the top 20 academic medical centers in the country by the Lown Institute, ranking No. 19 out of 215 academic medical centers evaluated nationwide in the 2026-2027 Lown Institute Hospitals Index. BMC is the only Massachusetts academic medical center to place in the top 20.
The Lown Hospitals Index measures how well and how efficiently hospitals serve their patients and their communities, grading more than 2,700 hospitals nationwide across 50 measures of care delivery, cost, and community impact.
BMC earned an overall "A" grade on the Index, including "A" grades in Value and Cost Efficiency, reflecting its ability to deliver care efficiently while avoiding unnecessary procedures. BMC also earned an "A" for Community Benefit, a measure of financial assistance provided to patients and direct investment in the health of surrounding neighborhoods, and ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts for Inclusivity, which compares a hospital's patients to the population of the area it serves.
“Being recognized among the nation’s top academic medical centers reflects the expertise and dedication of our teams across Boston Medical Center,” said Anthony Hollenberg, MD, President of Boston Medical Center. “We are focused on delivering exceptional care while expanding access to the clinical expertise and innovation that can improve the health of the patients and communities we serve.”
As BMC Health System’s founding academic medical center, Boston Medical Center provides care across more than 70 specialties, including advanced treatment for complex and high-risk conditions. BMC was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top five hospitals in Massachusetts for 2026–2027, with four specialties ranked among the nation’s top 50. BMC combines nationally recognized clinical expertise with research, medical education and a commitment to expanding access to high-quality care for patients and communities.
The 2026 Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility evaluated 3,618 hospitals nationwide across equity, value and outcomes, using data from sources including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare claims, the U.S. Census Bureau and IRS filings. Of the 2,689 hospitals eligible for a national ranking, BMC ranked No. 130 overall and No. 6 among 48 Massachusetts hospitals.
About Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center Health System is an integrated academic healthcare system that models a new kind of excellence in healthcare where clinical and operational innovation meets health equity and access. BMC Health System is dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and access to care, partnering with our communities, and developing scalable approaches to restore and maintain health. With more than 15,000 dedicated employees, BMC Health System includes our founding academic medical center, Boston Medical Center, two hospitals in the community, BMC Brighton and BMC South, WellSense Health Plan, and other health-enhancing entities serving patients and health plan members across New England and beyond.