Indianapolis, April 23, 2018 – The Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health campus has been recognized as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational branch of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization. Eskenazi Health is one of only two health care systems in Indianapolis receiving top recognition by the HRC. The other is the VA Richard L. Roudebush Medical Center.

The findings were part of HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index 2018, a unique annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBTQ Americans by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.

Eskenazi Health earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBTQ patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.

Eskenazi Health is one of a select group of 418 health care facilities nationwide to be named Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality. Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBTQ health education for key staff members.

“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.”

In 2016, the Eskenazi Health Transgender Health & Wellness Program began serving patients and provides primary care services for adult transgender patients – both male and female. The staff includes a primary care physician, surgeon, licensed practical nurse (LPN), social worker and patient care coordinator.

The Healthcare Equality Index offers health care facilities unique and powerful resources designed to help provide equal care to a long-overlooked group of patients, as well as assistance in complying with regulatory requirements and access to high-quality staff training.

This is the third time that the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health have earned top honors on the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Index, which evaluates institutions for inclusive policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. Eskenazi Health is an annual participant in the Circle City IN Pride parade and festival and other events celebrating diversity and inclusion.

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2018, or to download a free copy of the report, please visit www.hrc.org/hei.

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