Valley Stream Hospital Recognized as Leader in LGBT Equality

A Valley Stream hospital is among 496 hospitals nationwide that were recognized as a 2016 leader in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender healthcare equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Seventy-one hospitals in New York State received this honor, including 12 Long Island hospitals and one medical research institute. Many of those hospitals are part of the Northwell Health system.

“This is a major honor for our health system and reflects Northwell Health’s commitment to advancing LGBT patient care, research and education within our community and beyond,” Michael Dowling, CEO and president of Northwell Health, said in a press release. “We hope that our efforts continue to have a positive impact on the policies and actions regarding LGBT health.”

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, which is considered the nation’s largest civil rights organization that works to achieve LGBT equality, selected these hospitals based on an annual survey, the Healthcare Equality Index, which identifies the healthcare institutions that are leading the way in providing equal care for LBGT patients.

Approximatley 87 percent of all 568 HEI 2016 survey respondents met all of the "Core Four" criteria for LGBT patient-centered care.

The following Northwell Health hospitals on Long Island earned top marks in patient non-discrimination, equality of family visitation, employment non-discrimination and training in LGBT patient-centered care:

• North Shore University Hospital
• Glen Cove Hospital
• Huntington Hospital
• Plainview Hospital
• Southside Hospital
• Syosset Hospital
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park
• Long Island Jewish Valley Stream
• Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset

Northwell Health says it applies “compassionate, culturally sensitive and respectful care to patients and their families” through the health system’s ongoing educational initiatives that are offered at Northwell Health’s Center for Learning and Innovation.

Other Long Island hospitals that received this honor include:

• Franklin Hospital in Valley Stream
• Southampton Hospital in Southampton
• Southside Hospital in Bay Shore
• VA Northport Medical Center in Northport

Photo: Google Maps