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Mayo Clinic earns highest score on LGBTQ Health Equality Index survey
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Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Rochester earned 100 —the highest score possible —on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 Health Equality Index survey. These locations have been recognized as "Leaders in LGBTQ+ Healthcare" for 2022. With numerous different locations as a factor, Mayo Clinic Health System did not participate.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the largest civil rights organization in the U.S., working to achieve equality for LGBTQ people.
The Foundation uses its biennial Health Equity Index survey for organizations to benchmark their policies and procedures that support LGBTQ patients and staff. Each year, expectations evolve to require focused reviews on equitable policies and practices, nondiscrimination training, patient services and support, staff benefits, and patient and community engagement.
"Earning a 100 mark makes me proud to work here and demonstrates Mayo Clinic's commitment to continue improving the experience of LGBTQ+ people," says Brady Shaw, a leader of the LGBTI+ Mayo Employee Resource Group at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
While this achievement is an important milestone for Mayo's LGBTQ+ staff and patients, critical health and employment disparities continue to exist in the LGBTQ+ community, especially for transgender, Black and Indigenous people, as well as other people of color.
"Many of our LGBTQ staff members are also Mayo Clinic patients," says Anjali Bhagra, M.D., medical director of the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. "The Human Rights Campaign recognition demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding an environment where we respect who you are or who you love. You belong at Mayo Clinic. By ensuring we are unified in our support for LGBTQ staff and patients, we can quickly pivot to resolve our blind spots and foster an environment where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves."
