UCSF Health: 2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader

UCSF Health has once again been named an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization.

The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) recognizes inclusive care for LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees, and UCSF has been recognized with this award since it was first given in 2007.

“We want to ensure that every member of the UCSF Health community, and every patient and visitor to our campuses, feels valued, respected, and welcomed,” said Suresh Gunasekaran, president and chief executive officer of UCSF Health. “We are continually looking to improve our care in order to serve patients and their families in ways that will counteract health disparities linked to sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.”

UCSF Health extended discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ individuals and provided training to optimize care for LGBTQ+ people years before most other health systems.

UCSF was the first health sciences institution to create an LGBTQ+ center; convened the first LGBTQIA Health Forum for students in the health professions; housed the first and only Lesbian Health Research Center; and helped secure gender-affirming health care coverage for all University of California students and employees, a first for a major U.S. employer.

The index scores facilities on more than 60 criteria for LGBTQ+ patient-centered care, including staff training, patient services and support, employee support and benefits, discrimination protections, and a public commitment to equality.

To receive Equality Leader status, facilities must document that they meet most of these criteria and that they publicize their commitment to non-discrimination to patients, employees, and the public.