Middlesex Earns Third "LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader" Designation

Middlesex Health is proud to earn its third “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. 

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, and Middlesex earned this designation because it scored well on the foundation’s annual Healthcare Equality Index. This index assesses participants on four criteria: non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement.

A record 680 health care facilities actively participated in the Healthcare Equality Index 2019 survey. Of those, 406 earned a “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation. 

“The health care facilities that participate in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index are making clear that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients,” said Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David. “Going beyond inclusive non-discrimination policies, these health care facilities are adopting best practices in the areas of LGBTQ patient care and support, employee policies and benefits, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. We commend all of the HEI (Healthcare Equality Index) participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.”

Middlesex Health provides the best possible care to all patients, including its LGBTQ+ patients. Recognizing the specific need for comprehensive transgender care, Middlesex launched its Transgender Medicine Program in 2016, and the program now helps about 900 individuals who identify as transgender. Middlesex Health’s network of medical providers work with transgender persons to meet specific needs, and services are coordinated throughout the health system. All Middlesex employees participate in ongoing education, and the health system facilitates a gender discussion group. The discussion group is open to anyone who is transgender. 

For more information about Middlesex Health and the services specifically designed to help LGBTQ+ patients, visit middlesexhealth.org/lgbtq.