JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A hospital here in the east is being recognized nationally for its high level of accessibility to healthcare.

Onslow Memorial Hospital received an ‘A’ grade for excellence in health equity in the 2024-25 Lown Insitute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. It received this rank for its strong performance in community benefit, pay equity, and service inclusivity out of more than 3,500 hospitals nationwide, according to the release.

The hospital was ranked sixth out of the seventy-seven hospitals in North Carolina by Lown’s equity metric.

“It is our mission to provide excellent patient health services in a healing and family-centered environment, and this means we must partner with patients to reduce gaps and find ways to increase access to quality care,” said Dr. Penney Burlingame Deal, CEO and president of the hospital. “We are beyond appreciative to receive this recognition as it reflects our commitment to equity, inclusion, and community health.”

The Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility gives rankings to hospitals based on the care the hospital provides in light of collected data and annual evaluations.