Nassau Health Care Corporation, NUMC earn Gold Seal of Approval

The Nassau Health Care Corporation — which oversees the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow — recently earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for hospital accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

The Joint Commission is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that accredits more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs. Earning the Gold Seal of Approval indicates that the organization has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and has demonstrated compliance with high standards for patient safety, quality of care and performance improvement.

According to Nassau Health Care Corporation, the Gold Seal is a symbol of quality reflecting its commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The health care corporation, which oversees the medical center, as well as the A. Holly Paterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, underwent an unannounced, in-depth onsite review by representatives from the Joint Commission on June 4. During the visit, a team of reviewers evaluated compliance with hospital accreditation standards across several areas, including patient rights, infection control, surgical services and patient safety.

“As a healthcare accreditor, the Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate,” Ken Grubbs, the commission’s executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations, said in an emailed statement. “We commend Nassau Health Care Corporation for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients.”

Earlier this year, the medical center — which is the only hospital in Nassau County that treats patients, regardless of their ability to pay — was under fire due to accusations of mismanagement and complaints about its financial state. However, hospital leadership and elected officials who represent many of the health care corporation’s most vulnerable patients pointed out that New York state has chronically underfunded the health care system over the last three years. Lawmakers and the hospital’s board rallied in Albany this spring to send a clear message that “Nassau needs NUMC.”

In June, Grant Thornton, a leading national public accounting firm, conducted an independent audit that revealed the health care corporation was making significant strides towards financial health. The audit showed that it had achieved more than $100 million in operational improvements and nearly tripled its cash on hand in 2024. These improvements were attributed to the comprehensive Financial Sustainability Reform Plan that Matthew Bruderman, the health care corporation’s chairman, implemented last year. The plan included updates to the hospital’s billing and collection processes, financial standards and practices, quality controls and information technology systems.

“The numbers don’t lie,” Meg Ryan, the health care corporation’s interim president and chief executive, said. “NHCC has made tremendous progress to enhance our financial health and ensure we move toward long-term fiscal sustainability.”

Committed to patient care, the medical center opened a new care wing on its eighth floor in March, as well as a state-of-the-art mental health care outpatient center on the ground floor of its main building at the end of July.

Ryan said the Gold Seal of Approval recognition “is validation of the hard work and commitment to excellence” that defines the medical center.

“I could not be prouder of our team,” she said. “At every level — staff, nurses, physicians and management — we are focused on providing our patients with the high quality care and respect they deserve. This accreditation gives our community the peace of mind in knowing that when they seek care here, they are coming to a facility that meets high standards.”

Bruderman added, “Long Island’s largest safety-net hospital is proving it is a beacon of hope for so many residents. This independent validation of our efforts shows NUMC can and will survive and thrive for the benefit of Long Island’s communities.”