Mercy Medical Center Receives “LGBTQ+ Equality High Performer” Recognition in 2024 Healthcare Equality Index

Merced, Calif. (June 12, 2024) – Dignity Health’s Mercy Medical Center in Merced has 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.

“As a mission-driven organization founded to provide care for all, providing welcoming and knowledgeable care for LGBTQ+ patients is an important priority,” said Dale Johns, hospital President. “We know that LGBTQ+ people have long faced barriers to accessing health care and that health inequity persists today. This recognition from HEI is a testament to the dedication of our compassionate care teams, who are committed to helping make sure that our LGBTQ+ patients feel welcome, heard, and safe in our care sites every day.”

The HEI evaluates and scores healthcare facilities 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

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 Mercy Medical Center is committed to providing welcoming, compassionate care for LGBTQ+ patients and their families.

As part of the HEI process, Mercy Medical Center underwent a comprehensive review of LGBTQ+ care policies and practices within the organization. Mercy Medical Center updated dozens of policies to support LGBTQ+ health care outcomes, 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. 

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About Mercy Medical Center Merced

Mercy Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health and a part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the nation dedicated to advancing health for all and serving communities in 21 states. As an acute care hospital fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation and Healthcare Organizations, with 8 levels and 186 licensed beds, Mercy Medical Center is one of the largest employers in Merced County and has been serving the community since 1873. Its inviting, open design provides a positive healing environment where patients enjoy the peace and comfort of private rooms and birthing suites.

Mercy Medical Center is a certified Primary Stroke Center, has advanced certification for the total hip and knee replacements, and has an ACoS accredited oncology program at the Mercy Cancer Center. Other services offered include a Breastfeeding Education Center, Family Birth Center, Family Care Clinics, Health Education Center, Home Care, rehabilitation services, and an outpatient surgical and diagnostic center. Mercy Medical Center also operates 3 rural health clinics - Family Care, Kids Care, and General Medicine.