New Haven, CT– Fair Haven Community Health Care has received the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Builder” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The Health Equality Index (HEI) is the leading national benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and best practices in healthcare facilities.
Of the 1,065 participating healthcare facilities, 30 were from Connecticut and 4 received the Builder designation.
Fair Haven Community Health Care is the only community health center in New Haven to receive this designation.
“This is the first year we have participated in this initiative, and we will continue to make improvements, so our patients continue to feel supported and valued,” said Dr. Suzanne Lagarde MD, Chief Executive Officer, of Fair Haven Community Health Care. “Providing inclusive and affirming care for all individuals, including LGBTQ+ patients is at the heart of our mission as a health care center”.
The Healthcare Equality Index has four core objectives:
- Ensure foundational non-discrimination protection for patients, visitors and staff in via policy implementation and provide cultural competency training on LGBTQ+ inclusion
- Demonstrate progress toward inclusion on LGBTQ+ patient care services and support
- Cultivate an inclusive workplace by providing LGBTQ+ inclusive employee policies and benefits
- Demonstrate engagement with and public commitment to the LGBTQ+ community
“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,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign.
FHCHC’s participation in HEI reflects their commitment to creating a more inclusive healthcare setting for LGBTQ+ individuals by advocating for equality and uplifting marginalized communities, which is in line with FHCHC’s mission of inclusivity and equality.
About Fair Haven Community Health Care (FHCHC)
FHCHC is a federally qualified community health center (“FQHC”) established in 1971 in New Haven, CT by local activists. A nationally recognized leader in addressing health disparities in an urban community, FHCHC offers high quality, comprehensive health care to medically underserved and uninsured families. FHCHC serves over 34,000 patients at over 135,000 appointments/yr. Three hundred plus medical providers and staff ensure that patients have access to high quality care (prenatal through geriatric). FHCHC provides a full spectrum of primary medical care, behavioral health services, wellness support and dentistry at 19 locations in the greater New Haven area. FHCHC has been awarded the Gold Award for Health Center Quality Leaders from the Federal Health Resources & Services Administration for six consecutive years. FHCHC is the only Health Center in New Haven, and FHCHC ranks among the top 10% of Health Centers nationally on its quality indicators. FHCHC has also been recognized as a “patient centered medical home” by both The Joint Commission and by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. www.fhchc.org.