Subject matter experts and elected officials from across the city gathered to discuss and explore ways to make healthcare more equitable and accessible
At the conference, CEOs of Maimonides Health and One Brooklyn Health announced a new commitment to increase procurement spending on MWBEs by 10% by 2030
Left to Right: Antonio Reynoso, Kenneth Gibbs, Dayna Cunningham, LaRay Brown, Dr. Torian Easterling speak at Brooklyn Communities Collaborative’s Spring Convening; photos by Kevin Jean-Jacques, kvonfotos.
Brooklyn, NY (June 14, 2022) – Yesterday, Brooklyn Communities Collaborative (BCC), a not- profit organization dedicated to advancing health, wealth and local leadership in Brooklyn, hosted its first convening event, “Connecting Partners, Strengthening Communities” at Medgar Evers College. The daylong event connected BCC’s partners with citywide healthcare experts to discuss health equity, economic opportunity, and other challenges facing the borough.
The inaugural conference featured a special fireside chat between LaRay Brown, CEO of One Brooklyn Health System, and Kenneth E. Gibbs, President and CEO of Maimonides Health. Moderated by Dayna Cunningham, Dean of the Tisch College of Civic Life, the discussion focused on ways to increase procurement commitments to minority- and women- owned businesses and enterprises (MWBE) designated suppliers.
At the conference, the leaders of both health systems announced a new commitment to achieving 10 percent of non-clinical procurement per year from local MWBEs by 2030. The move could potentially generate up to $35-40M in new revenue for MWBEs per year from these hospitals alone. Analysis undertaken by BCC found that potential priority sectors for MWBE suppliers include building maintenance, selected professional services, furniture, construction, IT, and food/catering.
“The exchange of ideas that took place today highlights how community-based convening and collaboration play a role to improve the lives and health of Brooklynites,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Health is arguably at the center of nearly all of the problems our society – and borough – are currently facing. Following the COVID-19 pandemic it is more critical than ever that our communities, experts, and advocates are having necessary conversations around what’s most efficient to strengthen the health of individuals, families, and communities at large.”
“I am proud to announce this commitment to fulfill procurement opportunities with New York’s very own MWBEs,” said LaRay Brown, CEO, One Brooklyn Health. “Our increased spending commitment within the borough aims to improve the economic health of local business owners, generating a ripple effect on the prosperity and overall well-being of the entire Brooklyn community.”
“As the borough’s largest healthcare system, Maimonides Health takes to heart that it’s strength comes from communities we proudly serve,” said Kenneth Gibbs, CEO, Maimonides Health. “Today we announced historic commitments to support local MWBEs, and I look forward to improving health by investing in doing business at home.”
The conference also featured a keynote address by Dr. Torian Easterling, First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer for NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), followed by a workforce development panel moderated by Jenny Tsang- Quinn, MD, SVP Clinical Programs and Provider Engagement at Maimonides Health.
“Brooklyn Communities Collaborative Convening reinforces our commitment to keep New Yorkers healthy and explore new ways to transform community wellness,” said NYC Health Department First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer Dr. Torian Easterling. “I am proud of the work being spearheaded throughout the borough in creating a healthier community where all Brooklynites can thrive equitably.”
“Fostering greater partnership and collaboration across Brooklyn is at the core of BCC’s mission and work,” said Shari Suchoff, Executive Director, BCC. “We are excited to have gathered our network of partners to hear from experts and community leaders, and to discuss solutions that could help Brooklyn’s most vulnerable populations.”
Click here for BCC’s analysis on procurement diversification efforts.
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About Brooklyn Communities Collaborative
Brooklyn Communities Collaborative (BCC) is a not-for-profit based in New York that works with local institutions and stakeholders to address longstanding health inequities in the borough.
BCC was founded in 2019 with the goal of leveraging the financial power of anchor institutions
and community resources to address the economic factors that improve the social determinants of health – whether it’s supporting housing stability, advancing economic empowerment, expanding care management services, or strengthening CBOs in the area. BCC builds upon years of collaborative efforts with anchor institutions and community partners in Brooklyn, which have helped connect 80,000 complex-need patients to care management services, produce 30,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, and develop 3,400 units of housing. Visit https://brooklyncommunities.org/ for more information.