Jefferson Healthcare has been honored with an LGBTQIA+ Healthcare Equality Leader Award by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The hospital is committed to continually improving as it strives to provide high-quality, compassionate care to all patients.
June 6, 2024
Jefferson Healthcare was recently recognized for a significant achievement in its ongoing commitment to providing inclusive and equitable care to all patients.
The hospital has been honored with an LGBTQIA+ Healthcare Equality Leader Award by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). This accolade comes after Jefferson Healthcare received a perfect Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) rating of 100, underscoring its dedication to fostering an environment where all patients feel respected and valued.
The HEI is a national benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities on their policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQIA+ patients, visitors, and employees. Achieving a top score of 100 signifies that Jefferson Healthcare has implemented comprehensive policies and practices to ensure the highest standards of care for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Jackie Levin, Jefferson Healthcare’s Patient Advocate and Transgender Care Navigator, emphasized the importance of this recognition. “One study showed that about two-thirds of adults who identify as LGBTQIA+ have experienced discrimination when accessing healthcare,” she said. “We know discrimination happens in healthcare. That’s why Jefferson Healthcare is committed to partnering with the LGBTQIA+ community in East Jefferson County.”
Levin’s statement highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and Jefferson Healthcare’s proactive approach to addressing these issues.
Jefferson Healthcare’s partnership with the HRC spans a decade. “This partnership represents a commitment to providing compassionate, equitable, high-quality care to every patient,” said Levin.
This commitment also means that Jefferson Healthcare is constantly working to improve. Levin emphasizes that receiving an LGBTQIA+ Healthcare Equality Leader Award is an honor but is just the beginning of what the hospital hopes to provide to patients. “Despite achieving an HEI score of 100, we are not perfect,” said Levin. To ensure that Jefferson Healthcare is continually improving in this regard, Levin shares that the hospital is seeking input from the LGBTQIA+ community by forming an advisory council. Feedback received from community members will be used to help Jefferson Healthcare ensure that everyone in East Jefferson County can access high-quality, compassionate care.
Healthcare is continually improving in this regard, Levin shares that the hospital is seeking input from the LGBTQIA+ community. If you are interested in joining an advisory council, please contact Ms. Levin at jlevin@jeffersonhealthcare.org. Feedback received from community members will be used to help Jefferson Healthcare ensure that everyone in East Jefferson County can access high-quality, compassionate care.
Jefferson Healthcare is an award-winning, full-service healthcare organization meeting the care needs of East Jefferson County. Jefferson Healthcare offers inpatient and comprehensive outpatient services including primary and specialty physician care.
