Temple University Hospital (TUH) has received an evaluation of 100 and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 16th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of health care facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. A record 1,065 health care facilities actively participated in the 2024 HEI survey, and 384 of those earned an “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. This is the fifth year that TUH has earned the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
“We are committed to welcoming LGBTQ+ patients, employees, and visitors and to treating the LGBTQ+ community with kindness, compassion, empathy, and sensitivity,” said Abhinav Rastogi, MBA, MIS, Executive Vice President of Temple University Health System and President and CEO of TUH. “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 Robert Bettiker (he/him), MD/MGA, FACP, FIDSA, Professor of Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. The Task Force is led by Dr. Bettiker; Brenda J. Horwitz (she/her), MD, Professor of Medicine at the Katz School of Medicine; Jennifer L. Aldrich (she/her), MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Katz School of Medicine; and Nicolle K. Strand (she/her or they/them), JD, MBE, MPH, Director and Associate Professor in the Center for Urban Bioethics and Director of Equity and Culture Initiatives in the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Katz School of Medicine.
The Healthcare Equality Leader designation would not have been possible without the additional contributions of Stefanie Murphy (she/her), Associate Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Temple Health; and Dexter Rose (they/them), LSW, Gender Affirming Surgeries Program Manager.
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 HEI evaluates and scores health care 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; and,
- Patient and Community Engagement.