Crouse Health earns LGBTQ designation

Crouse Health has received “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC).

The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) just released.

A record 1,065 healthcare facilities participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those, 462 received the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation.

“To further support our mission to provide the best in patient care and promote community health, the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) has never been more important and hardwiring DEI&B across the organization — [it] is our priority,” said Crouse Health President and CEO Seth Kronenberg. “As a leading healthcare employer in Central New York, it is critical for Crouse Health to strategically focus on addressing the health equity gap, equitable care, cultural patient experiences and assist the organization in prioritizing the creation of a more equitable and inclusive work environment.”

Said Twiggy Eure, Crouse’s director of DEI&B: “We continue to be enthused about our participation in the HRC’s Healthcare Index Equality process as it provides a roadmap that helps to further hardwire our DEI&B efforts across the organization and celebrate our growth, going from our 2019 status to becoming a high performer in 2024. Our goal is to reach the leader status. We work hard to ensure that our culture of belonging strengthens our ability to meet and provide meaningful care and support to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer patients, families, and employees. We look forward to continuing our efforts and collaborating with our LGBTQ+ vendors, patients, employees and community,”

This year’s HEI comes as LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to be “treated unfairly or with disrespect by a doctor or healthcare provider” in the last three years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation combined with a history of discrimination in healthcare settings has the potential to cause even more LGBTQ+ people to delay or avoid seeking healthcare, which makes the HEI even more meaningful for those looking to find LGBTQ+-inclusive care.