Sequoia Hospital Earns “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” Designation in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index

Sequoia joins just 495 health care providers nationwide earning the distinction for excellence in LGBTQ care

REDWOOD CITY, CA (September 1, 2020) – Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital is pleased to announce that it has earned an “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 13th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), which was released this week.

“Each and every day, the physicians, nurses and staff at Sequoia Hospital work hard to deliver high-quality, culturally-competent care to our patients,” said Bill Graham, President and CEO of Sequoia Hospital. “At Sequoia Hospital, we are committed to providing our LGBTQ community with the expert, sensitive and respectful care they deserve.”

Sequoia Hospital joins just 495 health care providers nationwide in earning the “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation. Sequoia has a decades-long history of serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community in the Bay Area, with multidisciplinary professionals providing a comprehensive continuum of care to LGBTQ patients and their families. Additionally, Sequoia Hospital includes cultural training for its staff to ensure a welcoming and healing environment for persons of all gender identities.

“Health care facilities participating in the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) are not only on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alphonso David, President of Human Rights Campaign Foundation. “They are also making it clear from their participation in the HEI that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients.”

Every year, the HEI invites health care organizations across the country to rate themselves on recognized criteria for inclusive, equitable care for LGBTQ patients and their families. HEI’s criteria also calls for health care facilities to offer LGBTQ competence training for staff, to have LGBTQ non-discrimination policies that cover both patients and employees, and to provide equal visitation for same-sex partners.

About Sequoia Hospital

Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital is an accredited, not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative and exceptional health care for generations of Bay Area residents. Sequoia’s Heart and Vascular Institute is a nationally known pioneer in advanced cardiac care. Sequoia has received national recognition from Healthgrades for superior patient safety and was named as one of America’s top 100 hospitals for cardiac care. Our Total Joint Replacement program is a designated Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, and our Birth Center is consistently ranked as a favorite among Peninsula families. We are also known for our comprehensive emergency care and leading-edge tomosynthesis 3-D mammogram technology. Our state-of-the-art Pavilion combines the most advanced medical and surgical services with a unique healing environment, including private, spacious rooms and inviting garden areas. To learn more, please visit https://dignity-health.cshcontentstage.org/sequoia. To support programs at Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, visit the Sequoia Hospital Foundation.

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About Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the education 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.