WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. ― Novant Health is proud to announce that 14 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 third year in a row that Novant Health has received systemwide recognition.
Novant Health is one of only 13 health care 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 one of two systems with designated health care facilities in Forsyth County. Novant Health UVA Health System medical centers were two of the four facilities recognized in Virginia.
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 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
“Diversity and inclusion are part of our core values as a health care organization,” said Tanya Blackmon, executive vice president and chief diversity, inclusion and equity officer at Novant Health. “At Novant Health, we recognize that every person is different and shaped by unique life experiences, enabling us to better understand our patients, team members and the communities we serve. We are intentional in identifying ways to address the unique needs of our communities, including the LGBTQ community. We’ve implemented systemwide processes, councils and committees to develop diversity, inclusion and health equity strategies that connect to our business imperatives and achieve our mission and vision.”
This 12th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) marks the third year that participants were given a numerical score based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. HEI participants were given 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. New this year was the additional requirement that health care facilities provide transgender-inclusive health insurance to their employees in order to receive a top score.
The HEI continues to show incredible growth in the number of health care institutions that are embracing and adopting LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. A record 680 healthcare facilities actively participated in the survey.
For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2019, visit hrc.org/hei.
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