“Our goal is to be a leading patient care team within our health care system that creates a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for the LGBTQ+ community, proactively caring for their needs,” said Kyle Finucane, of the Emergency Department at Chester County Hospital. Finucane serves as a co-chair with Marianne Culmone, MSN, of a subcommittee of CCH’s longstanding Diversity Committee, that was formed to better focus on the needs of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, “plus” other identities and experiences) employees and patients. The group includes employees, members of the community and the hospital’s Board of Directors.
In celebration of Pride month in June, the committee coordinated multiple panel discussions and seminars to raise awareness and promote acceptance. “Working together to create a strong, inclusive atmosphere can result in a happy and safe work environment. There is a true correlation between people being happy and feeling safe at work and work productivity — which ultimately leads to excellent patient care,” said Jacqueline Felicetti, CHRO at the hospital.
“The hospital’s support of the LGBTQ+ community makes people want to come to work because they not only feel safe, they also feel accepted.”
Last year, CCH was honored as a recipient of Leader status in the Human Rights Campaign Health Equality Index, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to providing equitable and inclusive care, support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ patients, staff and the community. All six of Penn Medicine’s hospitals will be recognized as 2019 leaders in LGBTQ healthcare equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization.
The HRC Foundation has consistently recognized Penn Medicine hospitals as leaders in LGBTQ patient-centered care, but this year marks two “firsts” for the health system. Princeton Health participated in the foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index survey for the first time and scored a total of 100/100 points, earning the HRC’s coveted “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. Penn Medicine’s Lancaster General Health also earned the “Equality Leader” designation, greatly improving its score over the last year. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Chester County Hospital will be awarded “Top Performer” designations.
On July 1, 2019, Penn Medicine’s six hospitals earn top marks for the equitable treatment and inclusion of the LGBTQ community from the Human Rights Campaign. Read more.