By: Courtney Thomas—
Muncie hospital is one of only 4 hospitals statewide and 406 healthcare providers nationwide to earn the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation.
Muncie, IN—IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital announced that it has achieved “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) for the eighth consecutive year. IU Health Ball was the first hospital in Indiana to earn the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation in 2012.
The designation was awarded in the 12th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 680 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2018 survey, with HRC Foundation proactively researching key policies at more than 1000 additional non-participating hospitals. Of those included in the HEI, 406 earned a “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
“This recognition continues to be particularly important to our culture as a healthcare organization,” states Ann McGuire, Vice President of Human Resources for Indiana University Health’s East Central Region. “We are committed to making sure that every person who walks through our doors is treated with respect and receives the individualized compassionate care that they need.”
The 12th edition of the HEI assesses participants on four criteria: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement. Participants that receive the maximum score in each section earn the coveted status of “2019 LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader.”
“The healthcare facilities that participate in HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index are making clear that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Going beyond inclusive non-discrimination policies, these healthcare facilities are adopting best practices in the areas of LGBTQ patient care and support, employee policies and benefits, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.”
In the 2019 report, 406 facilities including IU Health Ball earned HRC’s LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another 148 facilities earned the Top Performer designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 81% 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.
”Our promise is to always deliver the best care possible. In order to do so, we must ensure all people feel safe to seek medical treatment in our facilities and are confident that they are receiving the highest quality of care for their individual needs,” McGuire said.
About Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital
IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital serves as a tertiary referral center and teaching hospital for East Central Indiana and part of Indiana University Health. IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and maintains 1.2 million square feet of facilities. It is part of an elite group of hospitals with Magnet designation for nursing excellence. More than 17,700 patients are admitted every year and more than 300,000 outpatient procedures are completed annually. Jeff Bird, MD, is President. Learn more at iuhealth.org/ball-memorial.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is education arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
