RWJBarnabas Health facilities have been recognized and 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 (LGBTQ+) people. Three facilities, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital and Children’s Specialized Hospital, both in New Brunswick, received the Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality designations for the first time.
RWJBarnabas Health facilities recognized and re-designated include Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville.
The distinguished honor of being selected as “Healthcare Equality Leaders” was based on the HRC Foundation’s annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the nation’s leading benchmarking assessment of healthcare facilities 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.
A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 384 or 36 percent received the top score of 100, earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. RWJBarnabas Health facilities represent nearly one-third of New Jersey hospitals earning 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.
“We are proud to be leading the way in New Jersey in providing healthcare services for the LGBTQ+ community and to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as Leaders in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality,” said Suzette Robinson, RWJBarnabas Health Vice President, Corporate Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “RWJBarnabas Health remains committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and ensuring all patients feel welcomed and able to get the high-quality care they need and deserve at all stages of their life.”
The HEI evaluates and scores healthcare facilities on detailed criteria falling under five central pillars: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, LGBTQ+ Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, Patient and Community Engagement, and Responsible Citizenship.
For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index, visit hrc.org/hei.