Main Line Health earns ‘LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader’ Designation in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index

Bryn Mawr, PA — Main Line Health’s commitment to inclusiveness today earned it the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC).

The health system, which serves Philadelphia and its suburbs, is among 384 participants out of 1,065 that received the top score of 100 in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) report.

“At Main Line Health, we consider the delivery of safe, high-quality, affordable and equitable care to the LGBTQ+ population to be of the highest priority,” said Rosangely Cruz-Rojas, DrPH, Vice President and Chief Diversity and Equity Officer. “We are exceptionally proud to be recognized for our efforts. Discrimination and social stigma have resulted in wide health disparities across the nation for LGBTQ+ people. If we don’t do our utmost to try to eliminate disparities not only for the LGBTQ+ community but to bring down barriers related to gender, ethnicity and disability, we are not doing our jobs.”

Main Line Health seeks to be at the forefront in the region. One way is through its Inclusive Care practices program, spearheaded by Dane E. Menkin, CRNP, Director of LGBTQ+ Services at Main Line Health, in which physicians and support staff undergo extensive clinical and nonclinical training related to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

“This training is in the fabric of Main Line Health’s values,” Menkin said. “LGBTQ+ training must be done comprehensively to ensure our treatment team feels confident and prepared when working with LGBTQ patients. This training allows our patients to experience the best outcomes in all their care.”

Main Line Health also has taken steps to ensure equity for its employees, including policies to protect them from termination based on their sexual orientation and inclusive language in its policies. Main Line Health also offers an employee resource group: LGBTQ+ and Allies.

Last month, Forbes magazine ranked Main Line Health as the top-ranked Pennsylvania health system in the America’s Best Employers for Diversity listing for 2024. It ranked 160th out of 500 top U.S. employers across all industries.

Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, said LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders like Main Line Health play a vital role.

“As anti-LGBTQ+ extremists look to strip away healthcare access at every turn, LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones are looking for healthcare providers to offer and champion fully inclusive services, the Healthcare Equality Index is helping people find facilities where welcoming policies and practices are the standard,” Robinson said. “We know that LGBTQ+ people — especially our trans family — continue to face discrimination in the doctor’s office. No one should have to put their health on the backburner for fear of mistreatment in a healthcare facility or by their doctor.”

Key highlights from the HEI report include:

• Targeted Health Disparities Reduction Plans: Among participants, 71% have an official plan for reducing health disparities that specifically includes LGBTQ+ patients in addition to race, ethnicity, and linguistic concerns.
• Bias Elimination and Welcoming Interactions: Just over half (53%) have a policy or policies that specifically outline procedures and practices aimed at eliminating bias and insensitivity, and ensuring appropriate, welcoming interactions with transgender patients.
• Employee Resource Groups: 72% have an officially recognized LGBTQ+ employee resource group.
• Community Engagement and Support: 92% took part in or supported one or more LGBTQ+-related events or initiatives in their service area.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.