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This designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation establishes Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health as best places to work and receive care for the LGBTQ+ community.

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Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health earn “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation

Stanford Health Care and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health are proud to announce their “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC).

The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released on May 7. A record 1,065 health care facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 384 received the top score of 100, earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.

“This recognition is a testament to Stanford Medicine’s commitment to inclusivity for our employees, patients, and the communities we serve,” shared Joyce Sackey, MD, chief equity, diversity and inclusion officer, Stanford Medicine. “Our diversity is a source of strength and continued innovation, and we are proud to champion LGBTQ+ inclusive programs for employees and provide all patients with comprehensive, safe, quality and effective patient-centered care. We are immensely proud of this achievement and remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing inclusion, belonging and health equity.”

The Healthcare Equality Index gives health care organizations points based on staff training, patient services, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement. Among other factors, the index considers an organization’s patient visitation policies, its LGBTQ+ outreach programs and its support of employees who are transitioning genders.

2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader

Stanford Medicine is proud to have several programs and policies in place to support members of the LGBTQ+ community that were key to earning this designation. Employees are offered LGBTQ+ inclusive family formation benefits and trans-inclusive health care. At Stanford Health Care, Employee Resource Groups have been instrumental in fostering inclusion and involvement in our communities. At Stanford Medicine Children's Health, the Gender Recognition and Affirmative Care through Education (GRACE) Program has been a cornerstone in advancing specialized, affirming care for transgender and gender diverse patients. This program has successfully completed over 50 hours of staff training, through initiatives like GRACE Grand Rounds, specialized teachings on transgender care in perinatal settings, and gender-affirming surgeries.

Thank you to the Stanford Medicine employees who have made this recognition possible. While there is always more work to be done, our recognition as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the HRC is important for current and prospective patients and employees.

Key highlights from the HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index report 

  • 36% of 1,065 total participants earned the designation “2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader.” 
  • Targeted Health Disparities Reduction Plans: Encouragingly, 71% have an official plan for reducing health disparities that specifically includes LGBTQ+ patients in addition to race, ethnicity, and linguistic concerns. 
  • Work to Be Done: Only 27% have an externally promoted specific program to provide patient navigation or advocacy services to transgender patients. 
  • Bias Elimination and Welcoming Interactions: Just over half (53%) have a policy or policies that specifically outline procedures and practices aimed at eliminating bias and insensitivity, and ensuring appropriate, welcoming interactions with transgender patients. 
  • EHR SOGI Data: Major increases are seen in the number of health care facilities collecting sexual orientation and gender identity-related data in their electronic health records systems. Seven of the eight relevant data points had double-digit increases. 
  • Pronouns in Electronic Health Records: The ability to collect and display a patient’s pronouns rose from 44% to 74%. This is an important tool to help prevent misgendering a patient. 
  • FMLA-Equivalent Benefits: 38% offer FMLA-equivalent benefits that allow employees to take family and medical leave to care for same-sex partners as well as the children of a same-sex partner, regardless of biological or adoptive status – this is up from 34% in 2022.  
  • Comprehensive Benefits for Domestic Partners: 41% provide medical and comprehensive health benefits to domestic partners of benefits-eligible employees up from 34% in 2022. This is the first increase in this measure since the 2015 Obergefell decision on same-sex marriage. 
  • Employee Resource Groups: 72% have an officially recognized LGBTQ+ employee resource group.  
  • Community Engagement and Support: 92% took part in or supported one or more LGBTQ+ related events or initiatives in their service area. 

About Stanford Health Care

Stanford Health Care seeks to heal humanity through science and compassion, one patient at a time, through its commitment to care, educate and discover. Stanford Health Care delivers clinical innovation across its inpatient services, specialty health centers, physician offices, virtual care offerings and health plan programs.

Stanford Health Care is part of Stanford Medicine, a leading academic health system that includes the Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, and Stanford Children’s Health, with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Stanford Medicine is renowned for breakthroughs in treating cancer, heart disease, brain disorders and surgical and medical conditions. For more information, visit: www.stanfordhealthcare.org.

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