The Human Rights Campaign Foundation announced Tuesday that it has designated UW Health as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader as part of the foundation’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index report.
“We continue to be committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment at UW Health,” said Dr. Alan Kaplan, CEO of UW Health, in a statement. “Receiving a designation like this again is confirmation that we are leading the way in policies and practices for a workplace and health care facility that welcomes everyone.”
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people.
The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of the foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index, or HEI, released on Tuesday. A record 1,065 healthcare facilities participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those, 384 received the top score of 100, earning the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation.
“This designation is national recognition that we have an affirming community of care for our LGBTQ+ patients and staff,” said Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, chief diversity officer of UW Health in a press release.
