UTMC recognized as leader in LGBTQA+ health-care equality

April 25, 2018 | News, UToday, UTMC
By Staff



The University of Toledo Medical Center’s commitment to the equal treatment of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning patients has been recognized for the seventh consecutive year by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation with its “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation.

“We want all of our patients at UTMC to be in an environment that is welcoming and supports the overall healing and recovery process,” Dan Barbee, chief executive officer of UTMC, said. “To achieve this, we believe that patients and their families and loved ones need to be in a nonjudgmental setting that promotes acceptance and allows a person to feel safe and protected to be their true self.”

The recognition was recently reported in the 2018 Healthcare Equality Index.

The Health Equality Index is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, which is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQA+ equality. In addition to being a valuable tool and resource for health-care facilities, the Health Equality Index is used by LGBTQ patients and their loved ones to find facilities that provide equitable and inclusive care.

The annual survey consists of questions that determine whether a hospital meets the core requirements to become a leader. A record 626 health-care facilities participated in the 2018 survey. Of all those included in the Healthcare Equality Index, 418 nationwide earned a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation. 

UTMC is the only medical facility in northwest Ohio to earn this distinction and one of only 24 in the state.

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