Ethan Rhodes
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. It was formed in 1996 through the merger of Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital. BIDMC is one of the largest hospitals in New England and has been at the forefront of organ transplantation and immunological research. In 2024, BIDMC residents, fellows, and interns pushed for unionization, citing inadequate pay and long working hours. In January 2025, about 800 residents, interns, and fellows voted to join the Committee of Interns and Residents, a local chapter of the Service Employees International Union. This vote marked the first step towards unionization at BIDMC, with the hospital respecting the decision and committing to collaborative efforts with the chosen representative body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) |
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Type | Teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School |
| Ranking | Ranked in the top three independent teaching hospitals for receiving biomedical research funding from the National Institutes of Health |
| Funding | Research funding totals nearly $200 million annually |
| Projects | Researchers run more than 850 active sponsored projects and 200 clinical trials |
| History | Formed out of the 1996 merger of Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital |
| Affiliations | Boston MedFlight consortium, Joslin Diabetes Center, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer, Jordan Hospital, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center |
| Unionization | Not a union hospital as of 2024, but residents and physicians voted to unionize in 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is not a union hospital
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. It was formed in 1996 through a merger between Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital, which was founded in 1896 by Methodist deaconesses. BIDMC is one of the largest hospitals in New England and is affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer as a research partner.
While BIDMC is not a union hospital, its residents, interns, and fellows have been actively pushing for unionization since 2024. In January 2025, about 800 residents, fellows, and interns voted to join the Committee of Interns and Residents, a local chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). They cited insufficient pay, long hours, and the need to advocate for themselves and their patients as reasons for unionizing.
The movement towards unionization among BIDMC residents, interns, and fellows reflects a broader trend in the healthcare industry, particularly in Boston. Other healthcare providers in the Boston area, including Mass General Brigham, Care New England, and Brown University Health, have also seen unionization efforts among their residents and fellows.
Despite the push for unionization, BIDMC itself is not a union hospital. A statement from the hospital's spokesperson indicated their preference to work directly with trainees to support their unique roles. The spokesperson also highlighted BIDMC's competitive salary and benefits package, which includes 12 weeks of paid medical leave.
In summary, while Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is not a union hospital, there has been a significant push for unionization among its residents, interns, and fellows. This has led to a vote and their subsequent unionization in January 2025. The BIDMC residents, interns, and fellows now join the growing number of healthcare professionals in Boston and beyond who are unionizing to advocate for better pay, working conditions, and benefits.
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BIDMC residents, interns and fellows voted to unionize in 2025
In January 2025, residents, interns, and fellows at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) voted to unionize. BIDMC is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and one of the founding members of Beth Israel Lahey Health, located in Boston, Massachusetts.
The vote was a landslide, with 407 in favor and 85 against. The unionization drive was fueled by concerns over insufficient pay, long hours, and a desire for better working conditions. Doctors in training at BIDMC often work 24-hour shifts and nights, and their salaries are below the median wage for the Boston area. By joining the Committee of Interns and Residents, a local of the Service Employees International Union, they seek to advocate for themselves and their patients.
A spokesperson for BIDMC stated that the hospital respected the right of its trainees to organize and was committed to working collaboratively with the union. This decision by BIDMC residents, interns, and fellows is part of a growing wave of healthcare unionization in Boston and across the country.
While BIDMC itself is not a union hospital, it now has several unions representing different employee groups. This includes the recently formed union of residents, interns, and fellows, who are now seeking to negotiate a contract that reflects their contributions to the hospital and the community.
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BIDMC doctors seek better pay, hours and working conditions
Doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, Massachusetts, are seeking better pay, hours, and working conditions. BIDMC is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and one of the founding members of Beth Israel Lahey Health. It was formed in 1996 through a merger between Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital.
In late 2024, BIDMC doctors in training began pushing for unionization, citing long working hours and insufficient pay. They intended to join the Committee of Interns and Residents, a local chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The doctors argued that the low pay made it difficult to afford living in Boston, one of America's most expensive cities. They also wanted more transparency around their compensation.
According to a Boston Globe report, BIDMC residents and fellows earned between $76,680 and $108,000 annually, along with a stipend ranging from $7,500 to $10,000. However, as pay scales were determined yearly, there was uncertainty about their future earnings. In contrast, a single person needed to make about $125,000 per year to live comfortably in Boston, according to a SmartAsset study.
While a BIDMC spokesperson defended the hospital's competitiveness in salary and benefits, offering 12 weeks of paid medical leave, doctors felt their salaries were below the Boston area's median wage. Additionally, BIDMC physicians often worked nights, 24-hour shifts, and holidays, contributing to their dissatisfaction with long hours and inadequate pay.
The push for unionization among BIDMC doctors reflects a broader trend of physicians advocating for improved working conditions and pay to address rampant burnout and well-being concerns within the medical profession.
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BIDMC is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. It was formed in 1996 through the merger of Beth Israel Hospital, founded in 1916 by the Jewish community, and New England Deaconess Hospital, founded in 1896 by Methodist deaconesses.
BIDMC is one of the largest hospitals in New England and is affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center. It is also a research partner of Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer. The hospital ranks among the top three independent teaching hospitals in terms of biomedical research funding from the National Institutes of Health, receiving nearly $200 million annually. BIDMC researchers manage over 850 active sponsored projects and 200 clinical trials.
The hospital has been recognised for its outstanding educational programs and its commitment to providing resources that assure the highest quality of training for its residents. BIDMC residents have access to innovative educational tools and up-to-date medical technologies, enabling them to deliver quality care to a diverse patient population and engage in cutting-edge clinical and basic science research.
In addition to its academic and research endeavours, BIDMC is also known for its exemplary patient care. It was the first hospital in the nation to create and adopt a Patient Bill of Rights, demonstrating its commitment to patient rights and well-being. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox and played a crucial role in treating victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
While BIDMC is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, it has also faced a recent push for unionisation among its resident physicians, interns, and fellows. In late 2024, about 800 residents announced their plan to unionize, citing inadequate pay, long working hours, and a lack of transparency regarding compensation. The vote for unionization occurred in January 2025, with an overwhelming majority voting in favour. This movement reflects a broader trend of physicians advocating for improved working conditions and pay that aligns with the cost of living in cities like Boston.
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BIDMC is one of the largest hospitals in New England
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the largest hospitals in New England. It was formed in 1996 through the merger of Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital. BIDMC is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and one of the founding members of Beth Israel Lahey Health, which includes several other hospitals in the region.
BIDMC has a wide range of medical centers and specialties, including acute care surgery, trauma and critical care, cancer treatment, and diabetes care. It is also a research partner of Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer and is affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center. BIDMC researchers are involved in numerous active projects and clinical trials, receiving nearly $200 million in funding annually.
As one of the largest hospitals in the region, BIDMC serves a significant number of patients and has a substantial impact on the community. It is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox and played a critical role in treating victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. BIDMC also has a presence throughout the greater Boston area, with affiliates in towns such as Needham, Milton, and Plymouth.
In addition to its medical services, BIDMC has been recognized for its commitment to patient rights and advocacy. Under the leadership of Mitchell T. Rabkin, it was the first hospital in the nation to create and adopt a Patient Bill of Rights. BIDMC has also been named a top hospital in Massachusetts by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting its high standards of care and expertise.
BIDMC's size and influence have also been evident in its recent history of mergers and expansion. In 2019, it merged with Lahey Health to form Beth Israel Lahey Health, creating one of the largest hospital networks in Massachusetts. This merger was intended to expand access to care and advance medical research and education.
Overall, BIDMC's scale, reputation, and contributions to healthcare in New England make it one of the region's most prominent and influential hospitals. Its history, research capabilities, and commitment to patient care solidify its standing as a leading medical institution.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is not a union hospital. However, in 2025, its resident physicians, interns, and fellows voted to unionize and join the Committee of Interns and Residents, a local of Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
The doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center wanted to unionize due to long hours, insufficient pay, and a lack of transparency surrounding compensation. They sought better pay, improved working conditions, and more benefits.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, was formed in 1996 from the merger of Beth Israel Hospital, founded in 1916 by the Jewish community, and New England Deaconess Hospital, founded in 1896 by Methodist deaconesses. It is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and one of the founding members of Beth Israel Lahey Health.
Jordan Hospital joined the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center family of hospitals in January 2014 and became Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth. Jordan Hospital was founded in 1899 by a group of leading citizens from Plymouth, who wanted to build a hospital to serve the residents.
