GREAT NECK, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The North Shore-LIJ Health System announced today that eight of its medical facilities were recognized for providing inclusive and respectful care of their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender patients and their families in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index.
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset; Forest Hills Hospital; Lenox Hill Hospital; LIJ Medical Center in New Hyde Park; North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset; Plainview Hospital; Southside Hospital in Bay Shore and Staten Island University Hospital were cited in the index.
To receive this distinction, these North Shore-LIJ facilities were evaluated for their patient non-discrimination policies, employment non-discrimination policies, visitation policies and training in respectful LGBT care.
The North Shore-LIJ Health System has placed an emphasis and value on providing caring, culturally-sensitive and respectful care to its patients and their families. This has been accomplished through many educational initiatives throughout the health system, with classes offered regularly at North Shore-LIJ's Center for Learning and Innovation.
North Shore-LIJ has also been recognized for the second straight year in 2014 by DiversityInc as one of the top 10 health systems in the country for its diversity inclusive practices.
"Treating our patients is not just medically aiding them, but it's also treating them with respect and compassion," said Barbara Felker, MS, MDiv, North Shore-LIJ's vice president of diversity and inclusion. "I am proud of the effort that our employees have put into providing culturally-sensitive care."
North Shore-LIJ's eight facilities were among the 81 evaluated in New York State.