Temple University Hospital (TUH) has earned the designation of “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation for the third consecutive year. The designation was awarded in the 13th edition of the HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), and TUH earned the designation by scoring 100/100 on the HEI 2020 survey. A record 765 health care facilities actively participated in the HEI 2020 survey, with the HRC Foundation proactively researching key policies at 1,000 additional non-participating hospitals. Of those included in the HEI, 495 (including TUH) earned an “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.

“We are extremely proud to earn the ‘LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader’ designation for the third year in a row,” said Michael A. Young, MHA, FACHE, President & CEO of Temple University Health System and Temple University Hospital. “We are committed to welcoming LGBTQ patients, employees, and visitors to Temple University Health System and the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and to treating the LGBTQ community with kindness, compassion, empathy, and sensitivity. This honor would not have been possible without the contributions of our Temple Health LGBTQ Alliance Task Force. We are incredibly grateful to them for their efforts.”

The HEI survey was submitted on behalf of the Temple Health LGBTQ Alliance Task Force by Ben Moore, MHA, Risk Manager at TUH, and Heather Clauss, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs & Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM). The Task Force is led by Robert Bettiker, MD/MGA, FACP, Professor of Medicine at LKSOM; Brenda Horwitz, MD, Professor of Medicine at LKSOM; Jennifer Aldrich, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at LKSOM; and Nicolle Strand, JD, Assistant Director for Research and Assistant Professor in the Center for Urban Bioethics at LKSOM. The Healthcare Equality Leader designation would not have been possible without the contributions of Allyson Saccomandi, Med, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Director of Leadership and Organizational Development for Temple University Health System (TUHS); Fred Berger, C(k)PF, Director of Benefits and Pension Administration for TUHS; and Stefanie Murphy, Senior Director of Strategic and Service Line Marketing at TUHS. Comprised of several subcommittees, the Task Force is focused on improving policies, education, equity, and clinical services throughout the Health System for LGBTQ patients, students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

The 13th 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.

In the 2020 report, an impressive 495 facilities earned the HRC’s “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. An additional 193 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 90 percent of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, health care facilities are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care.

To join our efforts to ensure the best possible care for the LGBTQ community, make a gift to the Temple Health LGBTQI Fund today.