Samaritan Health Services Receives National Honor During Pride Month July 4, 2024 Samaritan Health Service’s commitment to serving LGBTQ+ patients and their families and providing employees with an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Samaritan’s five hospitals received 2024 LGBTQ+ High Performer designation in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index. This is the nation’s top benchmarking survey of health care organizations on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. “Our employees, patients, guests — anyone who interacts with Samaritan — should feel welcomed, heard and respected,” said Earlean Wilson Huey, manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Samaritan. “We are proud of our progress and recognize this is only the beginning. There is still much work to do to fully achieve our goals of providing equitable and inclusive care for everyone.” HEI survey participants are scored on criteria that includes: Non-discrimination and staff training. Patient services and support. Employee benefits and policies. Patient and community engagement. Responsible citizenship. “Implementing initiatives aimed at promoting equality is crucial for fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their background,” said Laurie Simpson, director of Patient Experience and Engagement at Samaritan. “These initiatives help dismantle systemic biases and barriers that have historically marginalized certain groups, ensuring everyone receives fair and equitable treatment.” Efforts to collect and display patient pronouns, provide comprehensive diversity and inclusion training, and establish Patient Family Advisory groups are fundamental actions that uphold the dignity and respect of every person Samaritan serves. “By advancing these initiatives, we enhance the quality of care and build trust and confidence within our diverse community that reinforces our commitment to equality and inclusion in every aspect of our health care delivery,” Simpson said. Learn more about Samaritan’s culture and commitment to caring for all people. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for LGBTQ+ people.
