West Orange, NJ, August 31, 2020 – Eight RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) facilities have been recognized and re-designated as “Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. The HRC Foundation envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. The facilities recognized include Clara Maass Medical Center, Community Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset and Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
The distinguished honor of being selected as “Healthcare Equality Leaders” was based on an annual comprehensive assessment identifying healthcare institutions that are leaders in efforts to offer equitable care to LGBTQ patients by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.
“RWJBarnabas Health is committed to treating everyone with respect and dignity while appreciating and embracing the differences as well as the similarities that exist among us,” said Trina Parks, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President, Corporate Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “We want all patients to feel welcomed and be able to get the care that they need at all stages of their life. We are proud to be leading the way in New Jersey in providing health care services for the LGBTQIA community and to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.”
The eight RWJBarnabas Health facilities were among only a few hospitals in the state that earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate a commitment to equitable, inclusive, and compassionate care for LGBTQ patients and their families, who often face significant challenges in securing the medical care they need and deserve.
For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index, visit hrc.org/hei.
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick, RWJUH Somerset in Somerville, RWJUH Hamilton, RWJUH Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and an accountable care organization.
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 34,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health recently announced a partnership with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
973-322-4642
Carrie.Cristello@rwjbh.org