Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center Receives “LGBTQ+ Equality Leader” Recognition in 2024 Healthcare Equality Index

Northridge, CA – May 8, 2024 – Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center (NHMC) has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).  NHMC has previously been recognized with this designation.

“As a mission-driven organization founded to provide care for all, providing welcoming and knowledgeable care for LGBTQ+ patients is an important priority,” said Paul Watkins, NHMC President & CEO. “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 at our hospital every day.”

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.

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 longstanding challenges to accessing the care they need, and NHMC is committed to providing welcoming, compassionate care for LGBTQ+ patients and their families.

As part of the HEI process, NHMC underwent a comprehensive review of LGBTQ+ care policies and practices within the organization. NHMC 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. 

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

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About Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center

Founded in 1955, Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a 394-bed, acute care, nonprofit community hospital located in Northridge, California.  The hospital offers a full complement of award winning services, including the Leavey Cancer Center, a Cardiovascular Center, the Center for Assault Treatment Services, a Neuroscience Center of Excellence, a pediatric intensive care unit, and the only pediatric trauma center in the San Fernando Valley.  The hospital shares a legacy of humankindness with Dignity Health, one of the largest health care systems.  Visit dignityhealth.org/northridgehospital for more information.