Thirty-two facilities in New Jersey received an evaluation of 100 and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index, the nation’s benchmarking survey of health care facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
Nationally, a record 906 health care facilities actively participated in the 2022 HEI survey, with an impressive 496 facilities earning HRC’s “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another 251 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation, with scores between 80 and 95 points and at least partial credit in each section.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus received a perfect score of 100.
“This is the third year in a row that our medical center has sought and earned this important designation, and I am incredibly proud of the work we do for those who need us the most,” said Deborah Visconi, CEO and president of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “Earning the HEI Index top score validates our commitment to providing access to quality, equitable and compassionate care to the LGBTQ+ community. It further demonstrates our dedication to creating an environment where the community feels safe, supported and respected so they seek out the care they need without delay.”
Meanwhile, Cooper University Health Care in Camden received an evaluation of 90 out of 100 and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer” in the index.
“At Cooper University Health Care, we are fully committed to a core principle that everyone who comes to our organization seeking medical care, and everyone who serves as a member of the Cooper team, should always feel valued, safe and respected. We are proud that our commitment to this core principle has been recognized by the Healthcare Equality Index,” Kevin O’Dowd, co-CEO of Cooper, said.
“Cooper is gratified that our mission and the work of our dedicated physicians, nurses and team members has earned a Top Performer score in the Healthcare Equality Index 2022, demonstrating our commitment to making everyone feel like they belong when visiting or working at Cooper,” Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO of Cooper, said.
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.
The remarkable progress reflected in the 2022 HEI includes:
- 93% of participants met the HEI’s training requirements, completing more than 200,000 hours of staff training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.
- 82% of participating facilities earned either the Leader or Top Performer.
- 99% of HEI participants documented that they include both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in their patient non-discrimination policy.
- 99% of HEI participants documented that they include both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in their employment nondiscrimination policy.
- 81% of HEI participants offer transgender-inclusive health care benefits to their employees, up from 75% in 2019, which was the first year this it was required in order to obtain Leader status.
Facilities in New Jersey that received a received a perfect score of 100 include:
- Bayshore Medical Center, Holmdel
- Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Paramus
- Capital Health Medical Center-Hopewell, Pennington
- Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Trenton
- Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark
- Chilton Medical Center, Pompton Plains
- Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville
- Community Medical Center, Toms River
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston
- Goryeb Children’s Hospital, Morristown
- Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center, Holmdel
- Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center, Montclair
- Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack
- Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune
- Hackensack Meridian JFK Medical Center, Edison
- Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center, Brick
- Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge
- Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy
- Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank
- Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin
- Hackettstown Medical Center, Hackettstown
- Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington
- Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City
- Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch Campus, Long Branch
- Morristown Medical Center, Morristown
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark
- Newton Medical Center, Newton
- Overlook Medical Center, Summit
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Rahway
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Somerville
- The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood
- University Hospital, Newark
Facilities which received a received a score of 95 include:
- Atlanticare Regional Medical Center – City Campus, Atlantic City
- Atlanticare Regional Medical Center – Mainland Campus, Pomona
- Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic, Belle Mead
- Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen
Facilities which received a received a score of 90 include:
- Cooper University Hospital, Camden
- Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro
