For the 10th consecutive year, Brigham and Women’s Hospital has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The designation is given through HRC's Healthcare Equality Index 2018 survey, a national benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. The full report can be found here.
“The Brigham Health LGBT and Allies Employee Resource Group actually grew out of the process of seeking HEI recognition back in 2008, said Carrie Braverman, founder and co-chair of the Brigham Health LGBT & Allies ERG. “There was a momentum and desire to move the institution forward in this regard and to coalesce as a group to continue improving the experience of our LGBTQ staff and patients.”
HEI participants are assessed on four criteria: LGBTQ Patient-Centered Care, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement.
A perfect score is required for the designation in each section of the survey. BWH was one of 418 institutions to earn the distinction. Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital also received the honor this year.
“The Brigham Health LGBT & Allies ERG has grown to over 300 members across the Brigham family over the past decade, and I am proud of our success, advocacy, and community engagement of this group. Both BWH and BWFH have received a consistent 100 percent score on this survey for the last 10 years,” said Pothik Chatterjee, co-chair of the Brigham Health LGBT & Allies ERG.”
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the education arm of America's largest civil rights organization, working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
“With some of our biggest battles still ahead of us, it is crucial that institutions continue to demonstrate that the march toward full equality is not slowing down,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The 626 participants in this year’s HEI continue this march in partnership with the LGBTQ community and we commend them for their leadership. For over a decade, the HEI has been the roadmap to closing the gap in ensuring equal care to LGBTQ patients and their families, and we urge every healthcare facility to join us in this continuing effort to provide inclusive care to all.”
