Henry Ford Health Recognized as Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare, Equity

DETROIT— Patients, visitors and team members who identify as LGBTQ+ will find industry-leading policies and practices dedicated to inclusion and equitable treatment at Henry Ford Health hospitals, according to a survey released by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC).

All five Henry Ford hospitals earned the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation in the HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). This is the fourth consecutive time Henry Ford has earned system-wide recognition in the survey, which is conducted biennially. 

“Nothing is more important to us than striving to ensure every person who comes to Henry Ford Health feels respected, heard, and safe in the facility or environment where they are receiving care,” said Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Senior Vice President of Community Health & Equity and Chief Wellness & Diversity Officer at Henry Ford Health. “This recognition is a reflection of that ongoing commitment and the caring and compassionate work of our team members.”

Henry Ford’s LGBTQ+-supportive policies include:

• A Henry Ford Health dedicated LGBTQ+ Health Resources web page.
• An innovative clinical partnership with Ruth Ellis Center, a Detroit-area social services agency that serves the LGBTQ+ community.
• Hospital visitation policies that grant equal visitation to LGBTQ+ patients and their families.
• Provider and employee training on LGBTQ+ patient-centered care and unconscious bias.
• Availability of all gender restrooms in all Henry Ford care facilities.
• An Employee Resource Group (ERG) called PRIDE, which enriches the organization’s workforce through recruitment of talented LGBTQ+ employees and strengthens connections with the community at health fairs and events related to Pride and National Coming Out Day.
• Equal benefits for married LGBTQ+ team members and their same sex partner.

A record 1,065 healthcare facilities nationwide actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 462 received the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation. Now in its 16th iteration, the HEI used more rigorous criteria this year, challenging participants to reach the top designation.

Survey participants are scored on five criteria: non-discrimination and staff training; patient services and support; employee benefits and policies; patient and community engagement; responsible citizenship.

“The Healthcare Equality Index is helping people find facilities where welcoming policies and practices are the standard,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “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.”  

MEDIA CONTACT: mediarelations@hfhs.org