Henry Ford Allegiance Health Named LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader for 2020

(August 31, 2020 4:36 PM) Henry Ford Allegiance Health has been named a 2020 “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization.  

Henry Ford Allegiance Health stated they are proud to continue a partnership with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in their work to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Designated by the Foundation as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader for the second consecutive year, Henry Ford Allegiance Health is committed to continuous evaluation and advancement in the care provided to its LGBTQ friends, families and neighbors.

Henry Ford Allegiance Health is one of only six hospitals in the state of Michigan designated as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader.  The others are Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit; Henry Ford Macomb, Henry Ford West Bloomfield, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospitals; and VA Battle Creek Medical Center.

Dedicated to providing exceptional care for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, physical or mental ability, religion, sex, age, gender expression or sexual orientation, Henry Ford Allegiance Health strives to promote the principles of diversity and inclusion among staff, physicians and leaders. Earlier this year, an LGBTQ Clinical Taskforce, as well as a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, were formed at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. Diversity and inclusion education is also mandatory for all team members.

“We are excited about the initiatives to ensure Henry Ford Allegiance Health is an environment where all people feel safe and welcome, including working with a focus group of LGBTQ community members to better understand and meet their needs. Ensuring health care equality is hardwired across the organization and providing a positive patient experience for all people is an ongoing effort,” said Cindy Harrison, Vice President, Human Resources, Central Market, Henry Ford Health System.

The 2020 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, is a national benchmarking tool that evaluates the policies and practices of more than 1,600 health care facilities on the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and staff. Henry Ford Allegiance Health received a 100 percent HEI score in 2019 and 2020.

“This recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation shows our self-examination and desire to continually learn and improve. In order to fulfill our responsibility to our LGBTQ neighbors, friends and family members, we have vital work still to do,” said Harrison.

More information about Henry Ford Health System’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is available at HenryFord.com/Diversity