Community Corner

HRC Names Advocate 'LGBT Leader' Fifth Year In a Row

The Lake View medical center was the first Chicago-area hospital to receive the award, and the tradition is going strong.

For the fifth year in a row the Human Rights Campaign has named Lake View’s Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center as one of the leaders in equal health care for the LGBT community.

It’s a part of the HRC’s yearly Health Care Equality Index, a rating of America’s hospitals based on things like non-discrimination policies, equal visitation for same-sex partners and LGBT health education.

A select group of 464 hospitals nationwide were named Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality in 2013. Nine of those are located in Chicago, and according to ChicagoPride.com, Advocate was the first hospital in Chicago to receive the honor in 2009.

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“We’re proud to once again be recognized with such distinction by the HRC,” said Marc Senesac, vice president of Human Resources for Advocate Illinois Masonic. “As we’re located in the heart of Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood, the historic center of the city’s LGBT community, we’ve had a long history of treating every patient, family member and associate with the dignity and compassion they deserve.”

Other Illinois facilities were, Howard Brown Health Center, Rush University Medical Center, VA Jesse Brown Medical Center, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, VA Illiana Health Care System, VA Edward Hines Jr. Hospital and VA Captain Hames A. Lowvell Federal Health Care Center.

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“LGBT patients deeply appreciate the welcoming environment provided by a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality,” said HRC Health & Aging Director Shane Snowdon. “It makes a big difference to know that your local healthcare facility is fully committed to giving you the same care it gives your neighbors and co-workers.”

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2013, or to download a free copy of the report, visit HRC's website.


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