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NewYork-Presbyterian has announced its “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was announced in the 13th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).

We are honored to have earned the ‘LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader’ designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

- said Dr. Laura Forese, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NewYork-Presbyterian.

Across our Hospital system, we continue to look for ways to strengthen our culture of respect and to create positive change within our institution and the many communities we serve. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we are committed to providing equitable care, and standing up for what we believe – that every patient, every person, should be valued, treated justly, and respected.

A record 765 health care facilities actively participated in the HEI 2020 survey. In the 2020 report, 495 facilities earned HRC’s “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. The health care facilities that participate in the HRC are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care, according to the HRC.

The designation applies to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.

NewYork-Presbyterian demonstrates its commitment to health care equality in many ways, including adding preferred names to patient wristbands and using electronic medical record technology that captures sexual orientation, gender identity, diverse family structures (such as same-sex parents of pediatric patients) and preferred pronouns. NewYork-Presbyterian also collaborates with community-based organizations that support the LGBTQ community.

The health care facilities participating in the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) are not only on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also making it clear from their participation in the HEI that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients

- said HRC President Alphonso David.

In addition, many have made strong statements on racial justice and equity and are engaging in efforts to address racial inequities in their institutions and their communities. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.