JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM AGAIN NAMED A “LEADER IN LGBT HEALTHCARE EQUALITY”

Miami, FL — For the fourth consecutive year, Jackson Health System has been named a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) 2014 Report, published by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. This year, for the first time, each of Jackson’s major facilities and centers were scored independently – and all nine were named HEI Equality Leaders.

Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center, Jackson South Community Hospital, Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital, Holtz Children’s Hospital/JMH Women’s Services, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Jackson Memorial Long Term Care Center, Jackson Memorial Perdue Medical Center and Corrections Health Services, all earned top marks for their policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients and their families. These policies include patient and employment non-discrimination, visitation and cultural competency training for staff.

“At Jackson, we work every day to live up to the responsibility of being everyone’s hospital,” said Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System. “We take great pride in this recognition and for once again being singled out for providing the highest quality of equitable care to all of our patients.”

Only four other medical organizations in South Florida – VA Miami Healthcare System, VA West Palm Beach Medical Center, Borinquen Health Care Center and Westside Regional Medical Center – were included on the list of leaders. A total of 26 facilities in Florida, nine of which belong to Jackson Health System, earned the “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” recognition.
 
Founded in 1980, HRC is the largest LGBT civil rights organization in the country. Facilities awarded HEI leader recognition meet key criteria for equitable care, including non-discrimination policies for LGBT patients and employees, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.

Jackson is proud to continue its four-year trend as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality,” after also receiving the distinction in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
For more information on the Healthcare Equality Index 2014, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei.