Patient Care
UR Medicine a Leader in LGBT Health Care
Strong Memorial and F.F. Thompson Hospitals Receive National Recognition
UR Medicine’s Strong Memorial and F.F. Thompson Hospitals have been named 2014 Leaders in Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF). They are the only Western New York hospitals to earn this distinction from the HRCF, which is the nation’s largest organization devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights issues.
“It’s not easy to earn this designation. These facilities have demonstrated a strong commitment to LGBT patient-centered care,” Chad Griffin, HRCF president, says.
Strong Memorial and F.F. Thompson successfully completed the HRCF’s annual Health Care Equality Index, demonstrating that they meet or exceed HRCF’s core criteria by providing:
- A patient non-discrimination policy that includes the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”
- Equal visitation rights to LGBT patients and their visitors
- An employment non-discrimination policy that is fully LGBT inclusive
- Approved training in LGBT patient-centered care for key staff members
Strong Memorial recently launched a Web page specifically for LGBT patients. In addition to detailing the policies and rights listed above, the Web page provides information about health care proxies, medical records, related Web sites, and hospital contact information. In April, the University of Rochester Medical Center will host a conference designed to increase the number of UR Medicine clinicians with training in LGBT health care.
“We recognize that our patients’ basic health needs are the same, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” says Linda H. Chaudron, M.D., M.S., senior associate dean for Diversity at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Our LGBT patients, however, also have specific health care needs and concerns. We strive to provide affirmative, sensitive, and informed health care to everyone.”
“No one with a health care concern should also have to worry about whether they will receive inequitable or substandard care because of their LGBT identity,” says John P. Cullen, Ph.D., research associate professor of Surgery and coordinator of Outreach at the University of Rochester’s Susan B. Anthony Center. “By being a Leader in Healthcare Equality, we are letting members of the LGBT community know they will be treated with respect and dignity.”
For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2014, and to download a free copy of the report, visit hrc.org.