UPMC Hospitals Recognized by HRC As Leaders In LGBTQ Care

PITTSBURGH – UPMC has been recognized again as “Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the education arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people.

The designation was reported today in the 12th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), an annual survey that scores health care facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.

UPMC hospitals included this year as HEI Leaders are:

• UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (5th year recognized) 
• UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (4th year recognized)
• UPMC St. Margaret

Other UPMC hospitals listed as top performers include:

• UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
• UPMC Passavant – McCandless
• UPMC Passavant – Cranberry
• UPMC McKeesport

“Thanks to the hard work of a diverse group of faculty and staff, UPMC Children’s Hospital continues to make great strides in increasing health care access for LGBTQ children and young adults,” said Gerald Montano, D.O., M.S., medical director, Gender & Sexual Development Program, UPMC Children’s. “Although there is still work to be done, receiving this designation for four years shows that we are committed to an inclusive environment.”

UPMC was among a select group of just over 400 health care facilities nationwide to be named leaders in LGBTQ health care equality. Facilities awarded this title meet criteria in four key areas: LGBTQ patient-centered care; LGBTQ patient services and support; employee benefits and policies; and LGBTQ patient and community engagement.

“Earning this designation has raised awareness — for me, and many of our teams at UPMC Passavant,” said Susan Hoolahan, president, UPMC Passavant. “The education and resources have prepared us to be inclusive and respectful of all. We’ve embraced how a more personalized communication approach can alleviate anxieties and create a better experience for our LGBTQ patients. It’s also opened doors for LGBTQ employees to share their preferences and maximize their UPMC employee experience.”  

Additionally, in June, the UPMC Health Plan earned the distinction of being one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2019 Corporate Equality Index, the national benchmarking tool related to corporate policies and practices for LGBTQ employees.

Visit the Human Rights Campaign website for more information or to download a copy of the report.