14 • The Daily Wildcat
Special Edition ● Thursday, October 8, 2020
LGBTQ+ PRIDE SPECIAL | SCIENCE
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognizes Banner Health hospitals for their commitment to LGBTQ+ health care BY ANDRES DIAZ @DailyWildcat
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. HRC engages with communities and politicians to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Their work touches all facets of society including political advocacy, support for disenfranchised LGBTQ+ communities, as well as activism against stigma and limited access to LGBTQ-aware health care. Most recently, the HRC awarded five Banner Health hospitals the “LGBTQ Health Care Equity Top Performer” designation. The standards for this achievement are outlined by the HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index. This national benchmark evaluates healthcare facilities on their capacity to adopt LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices for patients, visitors and employees. The Banner Health Hospitals that were awarded this designation include Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, Banner Desert Medical Center, Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, Banner – University Medical Center South and Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. Nationally, the HEI assessed JACQUELINE CANETT | THE DAILY WILDCAT over 1,700 facilities, 765 of which BANNER UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER — TUCSON entrance sign with Banner hospital in the background. The HRC awarded five Banner Health hospitals the actively participated in the HEI 2020 “LGBTQ Health Care Equity Top Performer” designation. survey. From this group, 495 earned the “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Banner’s efforts come at a time when to have achieved “LGBTQ Health Care efforts, especially in the backdrop of Equality” recognition and 193 achieved the current COVID-19 pandemic. Equality Top Performer” designation limited access to health care and the the coveted designation of “LGBTQ at five of its hospitals; more so, we rise of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments have “The health care facilities Health Care Equity Top Performer.” are proud of our health care teams all been compounded by COVID-19. participating in the HRC Foundation’s Initiatives outlined by the HEI who work to ensure an inclusive The HRC designation underscores HEI are not only on the front lines of include the use of electronic health environment for all within their Banner’s commitment to issues the COVID-19 pandemic, but they records that facilitate an inclusive hospital walls,” said Jackie Hunter, the that have historically affected how are also making it clear from their collection of patient gender identities, senior director of diversity & inclusion the LGBTQ+ community engages participation in the HEI that they the formation of internal committees and talent pipeline at Banner Health. with the healthcare system. These stand on the side of fairness and are focused on LGBTQ+ healthcare For more information about The include the gender stigmatization, the committed to providing inclusive issues and offering transition-related Human Rights Campaign Foundation pathologizing of LGBTQ+ identities care to their LGBTQ+ patients. We healthcare coverage. and their work nationally and in and an absence of reproductive health commend all of the HEI participants HRC President Alphonso David Arizona, visit their website, hrc.org. services for the LGBTQ+ community. for their commitment to providing recognized the importance of these “Banner Health is extremely pleased inclusive care for all,” David said.
