Madison, Wis. – UW Health has again been designated a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The HEI is created by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC Foundation), one of the nation’s largest nonprofits committed to supporting LGBTQ individuals, allies, and institutions.
American Family Children’s Hospital, UW Hospital and Clinics and UW Health at The American Center were all granted Leader status. In fact, UW Health is the only Madison-area healthcare system to receive this designation. A record 765 healthcare facilities actively participated in this year’s survey, and 495 of them earned the coveted “Leader” designation with a top score of 100.
“This recognition shows UW Health’s ongoing commitment to provide equitable care for our LGBTQ patients and families,” said Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, vice president and chief diversity officer for UW Health.
This year marks the 13th annual HEI, and the fourth year HEI participants were given a score based on how many LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices they have in place in four different criteria. These criteria consist of the foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement. This is the second year that participants had to demonstrate that they offered transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to their employees to receive a score of 100 points.
“Never has there been as much of a spotlight on the vital importance of high quality, equitable health care,” said UW Health CEO Dr. Alan Kaplan. “I’m very proud of UW Health’s continued dedication to care that is not only remarkable, but inclusive and equitable.”
For more information, see the HRC Foundation HEI press release.