LVHN Hospitals Designated ‘Top Performer’ on Human Rights Campaign’s LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Index

Four Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) hospital campuses received national recognition for demonstrating commitment to advancing health equity for individuals in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) community, and creating an inclusive work environment for all colleagues.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) released its 12th annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), which scores health care facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. A record 680 health care facilities actively participated in this year’s survey. For more information, visit Healthcare Equality Index.

“We are delighted that Lehigh Valley Hospital and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg are listed on the Healthcare Equality Index,” says Judith Sabino, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Liaison. “It demonstrates to our whole community the health network’s commitment to equitable, compassionate and high-quality health care for everyone. It also means we are a workplace in which all colleagues feel respected and included.” Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17^th Street, LVH–Muhlenberg and LVHN–Tilghman received “Top Performer” designation, earning 95 of 100 points in the scoring criteria. Moving forward, the assessment process will include LVH–Hazleton, LVH–Schuylkill and LVH–Pocono.

The 12th edition of the HEI assesses participants on four criteria:

• Non-Discrimination and Staff Training
• Patient Services and Support
• Employee Benefits and Policies
• Patient and Community Engagement

In the 2019 report, 406 facilities earned HRC’s “LGBTQ+ Health Care Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another 148 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 81 percent of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, health care facilities are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ+ care.

About Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.