Children's Mercy Receives 2014 Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Award
Children's Mercy receives the 2014 Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the country's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization.Â
"We are honored to be the only hospital system in the Kansas City region recognized as a leader in LGBT health care equality. With this designation, we have been recognized for our commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families who can face significant challenges in their health care experiences," said Gabriela Flores, BA, MSM, Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Language Services. "This is an important example of our ongoing efforts to provide high quality care for all patients and families."
Children's Mercy is also honored as a Leader in Healthcare Equality in HRC's Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), which helps hospitals assess themselves against established best practices and ensure that they are complying with legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements for LGBT non-discrimination.Â
Children's Mercy has revised its patient and employee discrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and the hospital system acknowledges both as a protected class. Children's Mercy has also broadened its visitation policy to more inclusive of families in general.
Children's Mercy is one of a select group of 464 healthcare facilities nationwide receive the honor.
Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria for equitable care, including non-discrimination policies for LGBT patients and employees, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.
In 2013, Children's Mercy was recognized as a "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality" in the Healthcare Equality Index 2013, by the HRC Foundation. Learn more about the Healthcare Equality Index.
About Children's Mercy
Children's Mercy, located in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the nation's top pediatric medical centers. The 354-bed hospital provides care for children from birth through the age of 21, and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Children's Hospitals." For the third time in a row, Children's Mercy has achieved Magnet nursing designation, awarded to fewer than seven percent of all hospitals nationally, for excellence in quality care. Its faculty of
600 pediatricians and researchers across more than 40 subspecialties are actively involved in clinical care, pediatric research, and educating the next generation of pediatric subspecialists.