Arizona Bilingual News

The Best Of Two Worlds

El Rio Community Health Center Named “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality”

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By National Health Survey[/quote]
El Rio Community Health Center was recently recognized as “Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.085085AZB

The honor is given to facilities that meet LGBT-inclusive benchmarks that are part of the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index, a unique survey that encourages equal care for LGBT Americans. El Rio is southern Arizona’s first and only healthcare provider serving the general public to qualify.

The Tucson-based non-profit updated a variety of policies and practices to meet non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.

“El Rio was founded on a commitment to reduce health disparities and remove barriers to care for our community said Nancy Johnson, the organization’s recently appointed chief executive officer. “Today, we’re proud to be recognized for leadership in providing a welcoming environment for all LGBT people, both our staff and our patients.”

Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, guaranteed inclusion of same-sex partners and families in visitation and decision-making, and LGBT health education for key staff members. The Southern Arizona VA Medical Center, which is limited to former service members and their dependents, has also qualified for the designation along with several Phoenix-area facilities.

In its 2014 Index, the HRCF found that of 56% of LGB patients and 70% of transgender and gender non-conforming patients surveyed had experienced some type of discrimination in healthcare.

“Despite all the progress we’ve made, far too many LGBT people still lack inclusive and affirming healthcare,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “LGBT people have a right to be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates El Rio for its tireless work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients.”

Employees at El Rio said that they are proud to be recognized for their role, but that there is still a lot of work to be done.
“Changing attitudes and improving understanding takes time and determination, said Andrew Cronyn, MD, who chairs El Rio’s new employee resource group focused on LGBT issues. Cronyn, a pediatrician, has been working with transgender patients in his El Rio practice for several months. “We’re still in learning mode, but we’re excited to be moving southern Arizona forward.”
The complete 2016 Healthcare Equality Index report will be released in March of 2016.

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