Appendix D
Testimonials from HEI 2O12 Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality
The HEI: A Roadmap to LGBT Inclusion l
Leader: Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center Years rated in HEI: 2 Location: Greenville, S.C. Years as Leader: 1 Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center is the largest healthcare provider in South Carolina. Over the years, it has evolved from a stand-alone hospital serving the city of Greenville to an academic integrated-delivery system with teaching and research programs serving the ten-county upstate region of South Carolina. GHS has five medical campuses, 11 specialty hospitals, 1,268 beds (including a 746-bed tertiary care center), nearly 11,000 employees, more than 130 physician practices and numerous academic programs, including an emerging school of medicine and college of pharmacy. Although we are proud and honored to receive the distinction of being ranked as a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality, GHS’s participation in the Healthcare Equality Index is not about getting recognition. Instead, partaking in the HEI has given us an opportunity to thoroughly examine our policies and practices to ensure that they mirror our aspirations to provide an inclusive and supportive healthcare environment for everyone, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and families. In essence, the HEI provides a roadmap for methodically transitioning to the use of more inclusive language in policies, patient bill of rights, patient education materials, websites and other key touch-points between hospitals and their patients. The HEI provides vital guidance in formatting electronic medical record systems so that we can track the information necessary to personalize care for our LGBT patients and families. We believe that making these transitions sends a powerful message to our employees and our patients about GHS’s commitment to diversity as well as providing high-quality, compassionate care for everyone. Participation in the HEI has also helped to increase awareness of leadership’s role in assuring a welcoming healthcare environment. In particular, the training provided by the Human Rights Campaign for participants in the HEI has given healthcare providers like GHS the opportunity to bring important education about LGBT patient-centered care to a broad array of key leaders in a manner that is both cost-effective and easily accessible. Perhaps the most important outcome of participation in the HEI, though, is the relationship that is established between the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and healthcare providers around the country. The HRC Foundation staff members provide invaluable consultation to hospitals who have committed to the journey of transforming care for their LGBT patients and families, and this guidance is priceless. Kinneil Coltman Director, Diversity and Language Services
www.hrc .org/hei
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