Dignity Health – St. John’s Hospitals Receive “LGBTQ+ Equality High Performer” Recognition in 2024 Healthcare Equality Index

Ventura County, CA – June 14, 2024 – For the second year in a row, Dignity Health - St. John’s Hospitals (SJH) have been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). 

The HEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. The HEI evaluates and scores on detailed criteria falling under five central pillars: Non-discrimination and Staff Training; Patient Services and Support; Employee Benefits and Policies; Patient and Community Engagement, and Responsible Citizenship.

“As part of our mission at St. John's, we are dedicated to providing equitable access to high-quality healthcare for all members of our community," says Patrick Caster, Interim President & CEO, St. John's Hospitals. "Being recognized as a leader by HEI demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our LGBTQ+ patients feel welcome and safe while in our care, each and every day."

In the 2024 report, a record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 384 received the top score of 100, earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. LGBTQ+ patients have historically faced significant and long standing challenges to accessing the care they need, and SJRMC is committed to providing welcoming, compassionate care for LGBTQ+ patients and their families.

As part of the HEI process, SJH underwent a comprehensive review of LGBTQ+ care policies and practices within the organization. SJH expanded training for staff and clinicians, updated patient forms and IT processes to better capture preferred pronouns and solicit feedback from LGBTQ+ patients, and clarified wording in employee benefits to be explicitly inclusive of LGBTQ+ employees – to name just a few examples. 

For more information about SJH’s commitment to LGBTQ+ care, visit https://www.dignityhealth.org/lgbtqcare. 

###

About Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center & St. John’s Hospital Camarillo

Dignity Health-St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo in Camarillo comprise the largest non-profit acute care provider in Ventura County. Founded 110 years ago, St. John’s Hospitals are nationally recognized for quality care, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to support new programs and services, as well as to advance the community’s access to health care. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional or DignityHealth.org/StJohnsHospitalCamarillo.