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WINSTON-SALEM ― Novant Health is proud to announce that 15 of its acute care facilities have been recognized as “Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization. This is the fourth year in a row that Novant Health has received systemwide recognition.

Novant Health is one of only 12 healthcare systems nationwide that had 10 or more facilities receive the recognition this year. In North Carolina, Novant Health is the only health system with designated facilities in Mecklenburg County and Forsyth County.

The medical centers designated as “Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” are:

• Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
• Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital
• Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center
• Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
• Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital
• Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center
• Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center
• Novant Health Matthews Medical Center
• Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center
• Novant Health Medical Park Hospital
• Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
• Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
• Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center
• Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center
• Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center

 

“At Novant Health, diversity and inclusion are part of our core values and we recognize that each person is different and shaped by unique life experiences,” said Tanya Blackmon, executive vice president and chief diversity, inclusion and equity officer at Novant Health. “Each day, we strive to create a supportive, open and inclusive environment where our LGBTQ patients and team members feel valued. We are proud that our commitment to create this environment has been recognized by the HRC Foundation for the fourth year in a row.”

This 13th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) marks the fourth year that participants received a numerical score based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. HEI participants received scores in four criteria: foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. In addition, this is the second year that participants had to demonstrate they offered transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to their employees in order to receive a top score.

The HEI continues to show incredible growth in the number of healthcare institutions that are embracing and adopting LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. A record 765 healthcare facilities actively participated in the survey.

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2020, go to hrc.org/hei.