Holyoke Medical Center achieved The Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification for excellence in its efforts to provide equitable care, treatment and services. Holyoke Medical Center demonstrated that it has established structures and processes to decrease health care disparities within its patient populations.

Holyoke Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review on May 13, 2025. During the visit, The Joint Commission evaluated compliance with certification standards under the following domains:

• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Data collection
• Provision of care
• Performance improvement

“Holyoke Medical Center is proud to be recognized for its efforts to provide equitable health care to everyone,” said Spiros Hatiras, President and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems. “This certification is a testament to our team members who provide high quality, compassionate care to all of our patients, every day.” 

“Providing equitable health care and reducing barriers to care is not new to Holyoke Medical Center,” added Sr. Vice President and Chief Quality Officer Avadhoot Gokhale. “We have a specific Health Equity Strategic Plan to guide our organization in addressing the needs of our community.  These initiatives have been ongoing for years and are identified in our Community Health Needs Assessments including free transportation to health care services, access to nutritious food, access to health insurance, workforce development, and a myriad of other services.”

Another way Holyoke Medical Center is improving health equity is by expanding data collection from patients and offering additional screening tools. The information collected gives Holyoke Medical Center a better understanding of the patient population, as well as insights to improve patient care, enhance treatment protocols, and provide education to specific populations.

“Health Care Equity Certification distinguishes those organizations that have made health care equity a strategic priority and those that collaborate with patients, families, caregivers and external organizations to help translate equitable health care into better health outcomes,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Holyoke Medical Center for using The Joint Commission’s certification process to promote that all its patient populations receive access to equitable care, treatment and services.”