For the eighth consecutive year, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has earned the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization in the United States. The designation was awarded in the 15th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).

The HEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees. HSS is among the top 10% of Leaders in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality that have received this designation consecutively for eight years.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition as it is a testament to our steadfast commitment in diversity and inclusion and unwavering support of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, HSS surgeon-in-chief and medical director. “At HSS, we remain driven by our core values, which include fostering an environment of respect, equitable treatment, and opportunity for all of our patients, their families, and employees.”

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leads the adoption of initiatives, behaviors, attitudes, and policies that enhance cultural humility and inclusion at HSS, and is actively devoted to advancing awareness, training and education and implementing best practices throughout the organization.

“Beyond our promise to deliver patient-centered care to the LGBTQ+ community in a safe, healing, and welcoming environment, HSS is committed to identifying and addressing health disparities that affect vulnerable populations,” said Stephen C. Haskins, MD, anesthesiologist and chief medical diversity officer at HSS. “As leaders in healthcare and in our communities, we strive to assess gaps in practice, education, and training to continually improve health equity, equality, and access for all.”

Through the Office of DEI, HSS has established a hospital-wide LGBTQ+ Committee that evaluates and promotes policies and practices, education, and communications that will contribute to a high-quality healthcare experience for LGBTQ+ patients and is consistent with HSS’ commitment to excellence. The Committee plans and implements appropriate education interventions, guidelines and policies for HSS staff, including mandatory LGBTQ+ sensitivity trainings each year and the integration of preferred name, pronouns, gender identity and sexual orientation data collection into the electronic medical record.

“The Human Rights Equality Index is the industry standard for measuring patient services and support, training, employee policies and patient and community engagement to promote LGBTQ+ equality,” Jillian A. Rose-Smith, PhD, MPH, LCSW, assistant vice president, community engagement, diversity and research at HSS. “We are proud to partner with the LGBTQ+ community to continue to enhance our own awareness of best practice knowledge and interventions that helps us better optimize care outcomes for our patients and their loved ones.”

As part of ongoing DEI efforts, HSS recently launched an Employee Resource Group (ERG) program to elevate employee voices and create safe spaces for different affinity groups. The ERGs will support employee wellness and the ideation of DEI initiatives.

For the past four years, HSS has been a proud sponsor of the NYC Pride March, highlighting its commitment to caring for and supporting LGBTQ+ patients and HSS employees.