Coney Island Hospital Recognized For Leadership In LGBT Healthcare Equality

Coney Island Hospital scored top marks for their commitment to equitable care for LGBT patients this year — earning them recognition as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” from the country’s largest largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.

The designation comes from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, which conducts an annual survey evaluating policies and practices related to LGBT patients, visitors and employees. The survey, called the Healthcare Equality Index, acts as benchmarking tool to encourage more inclusiveness at healthcare facilities.

Coney Island Hospital, recently rebranded NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, earned high scores for demonstrating a commitment to equitable care for LGBT patients through their non-discrimination and training policies.

“At NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island we are committed to all patients and provide responsive, compassionate and respectful care in a welcoming environment,” Chief Medical Officer Dr. Wehbeh Wehbeh said in a press release.

Equal access to healthcare is still a challenge for LGBT patients, especially for transgender people. A 2011 survey 6,000 transgender Americans found that 19 percent of the respondents reported being refused healthcare due to their transgender or gender-nonconforming status.

“Despite all the progress we’ve made, far too many LGBT people still lack inclusive and affirming healthcare. Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality are helping to change that, and, in the process, making the lives of LGBT patients and their families better each and every day,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign.

Coney Island Hospital is among 21 NYC Health + Hospitals patient care locations to be recognized on the Human Rights Campaign’s index. Six of those locations are in Brooklyn. The agency is the first public healthcare system in the country to mandate LGBTQ training for all staff members. NYC Health + Hospitals also launched the “WE ARE AN ALLY” LGBTQ awareness campaign to support civil rights and LGBTQ health equality.

In total, the Human Rights Campaign recognized 496 healthcare facilities nationwide as Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality.

“LGBT people have a right to be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island for its work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients,” said Griffin.