The Disability Index, a collaboration between the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN, rates organizations on their disability inclusion policies and practices.

“Disability inclusion is a vital part of our strategy to drive innovation and create a workplace where everyone can thrive,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity, inclusion and wellbeing officer at Cedars-Sinai. “Earning this recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring people with both apparent and non-apparent disabilities feel supported and valued and empowered to contribute their best.”

The benchmarking tool is used by hundreds of companies worldwide to measure progress across six categories: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, supplier inclusion, and responsible procurement.

Cedars-Sinai continues to strengthen its disability inclusion through employee-driven initiatives such as the Supporting Purposeful Accessibility, Community, and Equity (SPACE) employee resource group. SPACE is a supportive community for employees with disabilities and their allies, fostering dialogue, advocacy and awareness.

In observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the SPACE group hosted an interactive workshop on setting healthy boundaries to support wellbeing, productivity and respect in the workplace. Cedars-Sinai is also celebrating the contributions of employees with disabilities and promoting opportunities to learn more about fostering inclusive workplaces through in-person and virtual events.

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The list, compiled in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, evaluates companies across the U.S. based on public data, HR insights, and anonymous surveys from a diverse employee pool. Newsweek says this year’s analysis incorporated more than 339,000 employee interviews and 4.8 million company reviews, highlighting organizations that go beyond words to implement meaningful diversity and inclusion practices.

“Diversity and inclusion are central to Cedars-Sinai’s mission to deliver exceptional care and foster innovation,” said Nicole Mitchell, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Cedars-Sinai. “We are honored to be recognized alongside Huntington Health for creating workplaces where employees from all backgrounds can thrive, contribute, and feel a sense of belonging.”

Cedars-Sinai Health System’s leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected in numerous initiatives, including workforce development programs, supplier diversity efforts and community partnerships aimed at addressing healthcare disparities. Huntington Health, known for its compassionate care and community focus, mirrors these values by prioritizing inclusivity and equity in its operations.

“Creating an inclusive workplace is not just the right thing to do—it’s essential to building a stronger, more innovative organization,” Mitchell added. “We remain committed to advancing these efforts to benefit our employees, patients and communities.”

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