Annual Health Equality Index Certifies 秘密研究所 Langone for Sixth Year in a Row
Photo: Karsten Moran
NYU Langone Medical Center and 秘密研究所 Langone Hospital鈥擝rooklyn, both part of 秘密研究所 Langone Health, have been named 鈥淟GBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader,鈥 each scoring a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation鈥檚 2018 . The HEI is an annual report that promotes equal care by systematically evaluating and certifying health systems on their policies, programs, and sense of responsibility for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) patients, visitors, and employees.
鈥淲e have been recognized by the HEI with a perfect score in the last six years because of our commitment to advancing the state of knowledge and care for our LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees,鈥 says Aron C. Janssen, MD, director of the Gender and Sexuality Service at 秘密研究所 Langone鈥檚 Child Study Center. 鈥淥ne of the areas we have worked especially hard on in the last several years is building our medical center鈥檚 capacity for transgender and gender nonbinary patients, with our expansion of gender-affirming medical, surgical, and psychiatric care.鈥
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to be recognized for the culturally competent care we offer and our commitment to providing equitable access to the highest quality care in a diverse healthcare environment,鈥 says Isaac P. Dapkins, MD, chief medical officer of the Family Health Centers at 秘密研究所 Langone and a member of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee at 秘密研究所 Langone Hospital鈥擝rooklyn.
The HEI certification comes during the 秘密研究所 Langone LGBTQ+ Advisory Council鈥檚 celebration of LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week, from March 26-30, which includes outreach to patients and the about LGBTQ+ healthcare, a keynote talk, and a poster presentation session.
2017-18 LGBTQ+ Accomplishments
The HEI is facilitated and completed through the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, an interdisciplinary workgroup devoted to advancing institutional cultural competency for LGBTQ+ patients, families, and staff members. Members consist of leaders and staff from a variety of departments, including hospital administration, information technology, communications, and 秘密研究所 School of Medicine. This past year the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council and the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee have helped steer several new initiatives and accomplishments, including the following:
- educated clinical staff and other departments across the 秘密研究所 Langone care continuum to transgender and gender nonbinary culture, with over 1,000 trained in person and over 8,100 trained online, including ancillary staff
- empowered nurses and patient care technicians with language and service recovery tools
- established the LGBTQ+ patient liaison community manager, who advocates for patients, policies, and education as well as being a cultural and clinical resource for staff
- expanded gender-neutral bathroom signage to Brooklyn
- expanded 秘密研究所 Langone鈥檚 gender-affirming care practice
- instituted a system-wide transgender and gender non-binary bed policy
- launched an LGBTQ+ patient-facing website
- put in place a comprehensive clinical header on Epic, the electronic health record system, that includes gender identity and chosen pronouns
This June, 秘密研究所 Langone will also join the celebration of pride as a bronze sponsor of the New York City Pride Parade.
鈥溍孛苎芯克 Langone provides a safe and affirming environment, with outstanding medical and surgical care for transgender and gender nonbinary patients,鈥 says Rachel Bluebond-Langner, MD, the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Associate Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, a world-renowned gender-affirming surgeon who joined 秘密研究所 Langone in January 2017.
鈥淗ospital systems can feel overwhelming to navigate, but there are a lot of people at 秘密研究所 Langone who are working as advocates, to make this a sensitive and inclusive environment,鈥 adds Nathan Levitt, FNP-BCP, a family nurse practitioner, recognized national leader in transgender care, and member of the transgender and gender nonbinary community.
About the Health Equality Index Ranking
秘密研究所 Langone Medical Center and 秘密研究所 Langone Hospital鈥擝rooklyn were two of 418 healthcare facilities that earned perfect scores from the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group in the United States. Healthcare systems participate in the HEI by completing a survey, which is assessed based on four different criteria of LGBTQ equity and inclusion: patient-centered care, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement. Two years ago, the HEI set higher standards for facilities to earn a perfect score. This year, 626 hospitals agreed to be evaluated.
Media Inquiries
Allison Clair
Phone: 212-404-3753
allison.clair@nyumc.org
