OHSU’s leadership in LGBT Health Care Equality receives national attention

June 30, 2011 Portland, Ore.

Oregon Health & Science University has been named a national leader in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Health Care Equality. As a result, OHSU will be highlighted in the Healthcare Equality Index 2011 report.

Health care Equality Index

The report contains the results of this year's Healthcare Equality Index, an annual survey administered and published by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). In this year's report, OHSU earned top marks for its policies and practices related to LGBT patients and their families. More specifically, OHSU's efforts to ensure health care equality for these patients and their families earned it the distinction of being among the 27 survey respondents to meet all applicable criteria.

Along with a handful of other survey participants that met all applicable criteria, OHSU was invited to write a testimonial for inclusion in the report. The comments, by OHSU's Dr. Norwood Knight-Richardson appear on page 72 of the report. Here are two excerpts.

"As Portland's largest employer, and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government), OHSU takes pride that our equal opportunity policy is now inclusive of both sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression."

"We are proud of our commitment to the LGBT community and will continue creating an inclusive environment for our patients, employees and the larger community."

Norwood Knight-Richardson, M.D., M.A., M.B.A.,vice president and chief administrative officer at OHSU

The Health Equality Index focuses on key policies and practices that lay the foundation for a welcoming environment for LGBT patients and families. These include:

Specific references to sexual orientation and gender identity in the patients' bill of rights and non-discrimination policies
Patient and employment non-discrimination
Inclusive visitation policies for same-sex parents and couples
Cultural competency training for staff that addresses healthcare issues related to the LGBT community

Overall, a total of 87 survey respondents took part, representing 375 facilities rated in the report.

For more information on the Healthcare Equality Index 2011, or to download a free copy of the report, visit: www.hrc.org/hei.