Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Awards Women & Infants Hospital with People4Equity Designation
Women & Infants Recognized for Commitment to Advancing Equitable, Patient Centered Care for Birthing People Across Rhode Island
Smithfield, RI – March 16, 2026 – Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood) has named Women & Infants Hospital (WIH) as the inaugural recipient of its People4Equity designation, recognizing the hospital’s strong commitment to advancing health equity and reducing disparities in maternal health.
Neighborhood established the People4Equity designation as part of a broader, people-first strategy to encourage and recognize Rhode Island health care providers committed to eliminating barriers to quality care and advancing better health outcomes for all. This work is guided by the 4Report, which outlines the principles and commitments that underpin Neighborhood’s Equity4All strategy. Together, these efforts reflect Neighborhood’s purpose: to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to—and receive—the right care, at the right time, in the right place, regardless of where they live, their ancestry, or their socioeconomic status.
“People4Equity represents Neighborhood’s pledge to ensure all individuals, regardless of background, feel visible, supported and safe. This pledge extends beyond just our members, it’s a commitment to the communities we serve,” said Rena Sheehan, MBA, LICSW, Neighborhood’s Vice President of Clinical Strategy and Implementation. “We are proud to have Women & Infants Hospital as the first recipient of this designation. Through our partnership, both organizations are learning from one another, identifying opportunities to extend our equity efforts, and exploring innovative ways to strengthen maternal care across every touchpoint of the birthing journey.”
Women & Infants Hospital received the People4Equity designation following an in-depth application process and a thorough review of the hospital’s equity-focused initiatives.
“We are honored to partner with Neighborhood on this important work and to be the first hospital in Rhode Island to receive the People4Equity designation,” said Methodius G. Tuuli, MD, MPH, MBA, Interim President and Chief of OBGYN, Women & Infants Hospital. “This designation acknowledges the deep commitment of the hospital and our teams to equitable, culturally responsive, and patient-centered care. It also underscores how much more we can achieve together as we continue to explore new strategies, refine best practices, and strengthen outcomes for all the families we serve.”
The People4Equity designation is built on a best-in-class framework designed to improve health outcomes and patient experiences, particularly among communities that have historically faced disparities. The focus on maternal health equity in the partnership between Neighborhood and WIH is based on persistent racial disparities in the U.S. and in Rhode Island, particularly among Black or African American, Hispanic, and other nonwhite birthing people. According to data from Rhode Island Kids Count and the March of Dimes, these disparities include challenges in accessing prenatal and postpartum care and higher rates of preterm birth, very low birth weight, and severe maternal morbidity.
As part of its application, WIH was assessed on a number of capabilities, such as staff training in trauma-informed care and implicit bias, social determinant of health screenings, LGBTQIA+ support, health literacy and language support, access to doulas, prenatal and postpartum visit discussion topics, behavioral health screenings and pregnancy risk assessments.
As part of a broader strategy to improve maternal health across Rhode Island, Neighborhood plans to expand the People4Equity designation program to other health care practices that offer OB-GYN care. The goal is to reinforce a model of care that centers equity, patient voice and whole-person support throughout the prenatal and postpartum journey.
