ChristianaCare hospitals earn top honors in Healthcare Equality Index

For the ninth consecutive year, ChristianaCare has been recognized as a leader in LGBTQ health care equality. Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital both earned LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader designations from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation – the highest recognition in the foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index.

The Healthcare Equality Index is a tool to compare hospitals based on their policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.

“At ChristianaCare, we’re proud of our longstanding commitment to LGBTQ health equality,” said ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH. “We’re proud to be recognized for the ninth year in a row by the Human Rights Campaign for our support and inclusion of LGBTQ patients, visitors, families and employees.”

Of the 765 health care facilities that participated in the Healthcare Equality Index 2020 survey, 495 earned the Leader designation. To receive the highest honor, Healthcare Equality Index participants had to score 100 out of 100 on LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices, including the following criteria:

• Foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care.
• Patient services and support.
• Employee benefits and policies, including transgender inclusive benefits.
• Patient and community engagement.

ChristianaCare earned the designation through its policies and practices for both patients and caregivers. LGBTQ patients have access to wellness and medical services including gender-related therapy and gender-affirming hormones. ChristianaCare’s PRIDE Employee Resource Group supports the advancement of a professional work environment that support awareness and understanding for all caregivers regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification.

“We understand the importance of serving the unique needs of our LGBTQ caregivers and neighbors,” said Timothy D. Rodden, MDiv, MA, BCC, FACHE, system coordinator of LGBTQ Health Initiatives. “We serve together to constantly improve the health care experience of our LGBTQ patients and their families.”

Learn more about ChristianaCare’s LGBTQ health initiatives.