Gillette Children’s has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation for its commitment to LGBTQ+ healthcare equality. Gillette achieved a first-time score of 70 on the HRC’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), earning the designation of LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Builder. This designation, intended for new HEI participants, requires LGBTQ+ inclusive patient, visitation and employment policies and meeting staff training requirements and acknowledges institutions that are making significant progress toward full LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The HEI is a national benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' commitment to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and staff and serves as a means to foster a more supportive healthcare environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. Gillette Children’s score reflects how many LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices they have in place spanning four key areas. Gillette received full credit for two of the four criteria, including all foundational elements of LGBTQ+ patient-centered care:
- Non-Discrimination and Staff Training: Gillette Children’s has implemented comprehensive non-discrimination policies that are inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, the organization ensures its staff is well-trained, fostering an environment of respect and equality.
- Employee Benefits and Policies: Gillette Children’s provides equal employment benefits, including transgender-inclusive health insurance, creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees.
Gillette received partial credit for the other two criteria:
- Patient Services and Support: The hospital offers specialized services to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ patients, including clinical services tailored for transgender individuals and the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data to better serve their health needs.
- Patient and Community Engagement: The hospital actively engages with the LGBTQ+ community, participating in local events, developing targeted marketing materials, and maintaining an advisory committee to continually address the needs of LGBTQ+ patients.
“We are honored to receive this first-time recognition from the Human Rights Campaign,” said Kit Brady, Gillette Children’s vice president of human resources. “This achievement underscores our ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for both patients and staff. We need to continue to our efforts, but this an excellent start.”
The HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index is the leading national benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and best practices in healthcare facilities.
Gillette Children's charge nurse Toni Gillen, who serves as chair of PRIDE employee resource group, is excited about the designation.
"As a member of Gillette's PRIDE employee resource group, I am proud of the goals we have been able to accomplish so far, but this is just the beginning," Gillen said. "Our work with HRC has established the foundation that we will continue to use to learn and grow as we support our employees and patients who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies."