Dana-Farber Cancer Institute earns “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Top Performer” Designation in HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has been designated as an “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Top Performer” from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was recently released 12th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).

“At Dana-Farber, we are fully committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment to LGBTQ patients and families, as well as our faculty and staff,” said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Dana-Farber President and CEO.  “We are proud of this special designation from the Human Rights Campaign’s Health Equality Index that recognizes these efforts and the high standard we set for inclusion and equality. We pledge to continue to uphold our commitment to provide the best possible environment for all our patients, their families, and our staff.”

According to the HRC, the health care facilities that participate in their Healthcare Equality Index are making clear that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients. Going beyond inclusive non-discrimination policies, these health care facilities are adopting best practices in the areas of LGBTQ patient care and support, employee policies and benefits, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement.

The 12th 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 2019 report, 406 facilities earned HRC’s “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another 148 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 81% 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.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is education arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.