First Hospital in State to be Named LGBT Friendly
An IU Health Ball Memorial Release
MUNCIE – Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in the state to be designated as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) friendly by the Human Rights Campaign.
More than two years ago, Michael Haley, president & CEO, Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital issued a challenge to all physicians, employees and volunteers to meet every key indicator that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) measures when reviewing hospitals related to their care for LGBT patients.
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is now the only hospital in Indiana to be recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” in the Healthcare Equality Index for 2012 for meeting all key benchmarks. The annual survey is conducted by the HRC Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest LGBT organization.
“Providing healthcare to everyone that walks through our doors is something we work very diligently at every day,” said Michael Haley, president & CEO, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. “I’m proud to see that our efforts to provide high quality healthcare, free from any type of discrimination, have been recognized on a national level.”
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital was one of 234 healthcare facilities nationwide and the only facility in Indiana to be named Leaders in Healthcare Equality. Organizations awarded this title meet several key indicators for equitable care, including nondiscrimination policies for LGBT patients and employees, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents and LGBT health education for key staff.
“IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has a brand promise of assurance,” Haley said. “That means the hospital staff and affiliates want people to know they made the best possible choice when they decided to come to us for care. We intend to uphold that promise by continuing to lead by example.”
For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2012, or to download a free copy of the report, visit: hrc.org/hei.