Temple University Hospital (TUH) has earned the designation of “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 12th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), and TUH earned the designation by scoring 100/100 on the HEI 2019 survey. A record 680 health care facilities actively participated in the HEI 2019 survey, with HRC Foundation proactively researching key policies at 1,000 additional non-participating hospitals. Of those included in the HEI, 406 (including TUH) earned a “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
“We are extremely proud to receive this designation for the second consecutive year,” said Michael Young, MHA, FACHE, President & CEO of Temple University Hospital. “This honor is due to the efforts of the more than 180 members of the Temple Health LGBTQ Alliance Task Force, whose mission is to provide and advocate for LGBTQ-centered care, education and research across Temple University Health System, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and the community we serve. We are committed to providing an inclusive, safe and supportive care environment for our LGBTQ patients, staff, visitors, faculty and students.”
The HEI survey was submitted on behalf of the Temple Health LGBTQ Alliance Task Force by Ben Moore, MHA, Risk Manager at TUH and Heather Clauss, MD, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs & Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM). The Task Force is now led by Robert Bettiker, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine at LKSOM, Brenda Horwitz, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine at LKSOM, Jennifer Aldrich, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at LKSOM, and Nicolle Strand, JD, Assistant Director for Research and Assistant Professor in the Center for Bioethics, Urban Health and Policy at LKSOM. Comprised of several subcommittees, the Task Force is focused on improving policies, education, equity, and clinical services throughout the Health System for LGBTQ patients, students, staff, faculty and visitors.
The 12th edition of the HEI assesses participants on four criteria: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement.
In the 2019 report, an impressive 406 facilities earned HRC’s “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another 148 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 81% of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, health care facilities are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care.