21 Sutter Health Affiliates Honored as Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-one affiliates within Sutter Health's not-for-profit network earned recognition as a "Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the country's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization. 

The annual survey, conducted by Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), recognizes facilities that meet key criteria, including foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement.

"Valuing the diversity in our workforce and our patients is key to who we are at Sutter Health," said Jill Ragsdale, senior vice president and chief people and culture officer for Sutter Health. "As a healthcare organization and a major employer in the more than 100 communities we serve in Northern California, we're proud of earning this recognition and we're committed to continuously pursuing ways we can enhance care for our LGBTQ community."

The 21 Sutter Health affiliates earning a spot on the 2017 HEI Index include:

• Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
• California Pacific Medical Center
• Eden Medical Center
• Memorial Hospital Los Banos
• Memorial Medical Center
• Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
• Novato Community Hospital
• Palo Alto Medical Foundation
• Sutter Amador Hospital
• Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital
• Sutter Coast Hospital
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Sutter Delta Medical Center
• Sutter Lakeside Hospital
• Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
• Sutter Medical Foundation
• Sutter Roseville Medical Center
• Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital  
• Sutter Solano Medical Center
• Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

The 21 Sutter Health network affiliates recognized join a select group of healthcare facilities nationwide named as Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality. A record 590 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2017 survey. In addition, the HRC Foundation proactively researched key policies at more than 900 non-participating hospitals. Of all those included in the HEI, 302 earned a "Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality" designation. 

"The 2017 HEI reminds us again that though we have made tremendous gains over the past decade, there is still much more work left for us to do. With some of our biggest battles still ahead of us, it is crucial that institutions continue to demonstrate that the march toward full equality is not slowing down," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "The 590 participants in this year's HEI continue this march in partnership with the LGBTQ community. For the past decade, the HEI has been the roadmap to closing the gap in ensuring equal care to LGBTQ patients and their families, and we urge every healthcare facility to join us in this continuing effort to provide inclusive care to all."

For more information about the HEI, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei.

About Sutter Health
Sutter Health is one of the nation's top five large health systems thanks to its integrated network of physician, employee and volunteer pioneers—more than 60,000 people strong. Rooted in Sutter Health's not-for-profit mission, these team members partner to deliver exceptional care that feels personal. From physician offices to hospitals to outpatient care centers and home services, they proudly support and learn from the more than 3 million people in their care—nearly 1 percent of the U.S. population, in one of the most diverse and innovative regions in the world. Sutter pioneers adopt new technologies, make novel discoveries and embrace creative thinking to help patients and communities achieve their best health. From its street nurse program that provides check-ups for homeless people, to telemedicine-aided specialist consultations, to walk-in care clinics, to smart glass technology, the Sutter Health team goes beyond traditional models to make care more convenient and to nurture and empower people throughout their medical journey.

For more information about the Sutter Health network visit: sutterhealth.org | facebook.com/sutterhealth | youtube.com/sutterhealth | twitter.com/sutterhealth.

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SOURCE Sutter Health