Chicago, Ill. — Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center has been recognized as a "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation, the educational arm of the country's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) civil rights organization.
The findings were part of HRC Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index 2016, a unique annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBT Americans by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBT patients, visitors and employees.
Advocate Illinois Masonic earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.
"Every individual deserves high quality care that will help them on their personal journey toward health," says Susan Nordstrom Lopez, President of Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. "We are honored to show our support for the LGBT community in the Pride Parade each year and maintain a continuous commitment to education and improvement to ensure we're offering the best care for our community and a welcoming, inclusive environment for our patients, associates and physicians."
Advocate Illinois Masonic is one of a select group of 496 healthcare facilities nationwide to be named Leaders in LGBT 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 LGBT health education for key staff members.
"Despite all the progress we've made, far too many LGBT people still lack inclusive and affirming healthcare. Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality are helping to change that and, in the process, are making the lives of LGBT patients and their families better each and every day," said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign. "LGBT people have a right to be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for its work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients."
The Healthcare Equality Index offers healthcare 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.
For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2016 or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei.
About Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is a 397-bed non-profit teaching hospital located in the Lake View neighborhood on Chicago's North Side. The medical center has a Level I Trauma Center and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the highest designations awarded by the state of Illinois, and offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, including cardiovascular, oncology, digestive health and neurosciences services. A recipient of numerous awards for quality and clinical excellence, Advocate Illinois Masonic has achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The medical center has also been named a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign's Healthcare Equality Index. Advocate Illinois Masonic is part of Advocate Health Care, the largest fully integrated health system in Illinois. For more information, visit www.advocatehealth.com/masonic .
