Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) hospitals are receiving national recognition for demonstrating a commitment to advancing health equity in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) designated Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals, which include LVH - Cedar Crest, LVH - 17th Street, LVHN - Tilghman, LVH - Muhlenberg and LVH - Pocono, as Leaders in its LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).

“This designation highlights LVHN’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment for our patients and colleagues,” said Judith Sabino, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Liaison, LVHN.

“We are proud to be recognized as national leaders who show our commitment to the LGBTQ community by providing equitable, high-quality health care and a workplace where everyone feels respected,” Sabino said.

HEI is a national benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities’ commitment to inclusion and equity of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. This is the third time LVHN submitted evidence to be considered for this HEI designation.

HEI evaluates and scores healthcare facilities on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

• Foundational Policies and Training in LGBTQ Patient-Centered Care

• LGBTQ Patient Services and Support

• Employee Benefits and Policies

• Patient and Community Engagement

“Lehigh Valley Health Network shows continuous commitment to LGBTQ+ community members in our area,” said Kimberly Levitt, DHS, MPH, Health Programs Manager, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.

“Through our partnership, we have the ability to implement public health initiatives throughout the year. LVHN is truly a fundamental health leader, and Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is proud to see this recognition from the Human Rights Campaign,” Levitt said.

In the 2022 report, 496 facilities received HRC’s LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Index Leader designation. These facilities received the maximum score in each section, with an overall score of 100.

Another 251 facilities received the “Top Performer” designation with scores between 80 and 95 points and at least partial credit in each section.

With 82 percent of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, healthcare facilities are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ+ care.