LGBTQ+ Inclusive
The mission of Saint Mary’s Health Network is to deliver compassionate, quality care to patients and better healthcare to communities.
We welcome patients, visitors, and families to experience the Saint Mary’s difference when caring for the LGBTQ+ community. Members of this community experience statistical health disparities that are often related to inadequate or unequal access to care:
- higher rates of HIV and other sexual transmitted infections
- lower rates of mammography and Pap smear screening
- higher rates of substance abuse
- higher rates of smoking
- higher rates of depression, anxiety
- higher rates of violence victimization
For more information about the health challenges faced by this community, please visit The National LGBT Health Education Center, a program of the Fenway Institute, at www.lgbthealtheducation.org
Saint Mary’s Health Network is committed to correcting these disparities by providing compassionate, quality care that respectfully welcomes individuals of all backgrounds. We embrace the gender identity, race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, and religious, political, and cultural views of all our patients.
Inclusivity
- Equal Visitation Policy
- We recognize that patient visitation and family support is an important component of the healing process. Patients are welcomed and encouraged to have visitors of their choice, including same-sex partners and spouses.
- Diversity Council
- Saint Mary’s Diversity Council is leading this initiative for our health network. The Diversity Council works to enhance staff training and education, implement research-based, LGBTQ+ friendly policies, and increase LGBTQ+ access to care through community involvement.
Clinical Dedication
- Policies
- Saint Mary’s Health Network and Prime Healthcare have implemented a policy of non-discrimination for the LGBTQ+ community. Proactive clinical leadership is at the forefront of the policy, which includes a commitment to respect, privacy, and quality care. All patients have the right to competent, considerate, and respectful care in a safe setting that fosters comfort and dignity and is free from all forms of prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and abuse.
- In addition, Saint Mary’s Health Network is committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace for our organization. We are proud of our commitment to non-discrimination in hiring policies and boast a diverse staff and leadership team.
- For more information regarding our Guidelines for Care of the LGBTQ+ Patient, please call our Patient Experience Coordinator at 775-770-3249.
- For more information regarding our Hiring Guidelines, please call Saint Mary’s Human Resources at 775-770-3001.
- Nursing Education/Training
- Saint Mary’s Health Network provides training for care of the LGBTQ+ patient to all nurses. We emphasize inclusive, respectful care that includes:
- Research-based, quality care
- Use of patient-preferred pronouns
- Disparities in health outcomes and access to care
- Saint Mary’s Health Network provides training for care of the LGBTQ+ patient to all nurses. We emphasize inclusive, respectful care that includes:
Looking Ahead
- Saint Mary’s Health Network is taking steps to achieve certification in the Healthcare Equality Index. In our goal to become a Leader in Healthcare Equality, we are:
- providing gender-neutral bathrooms
- engaging former LGBTQ+ patients for collaboration and input on current practices
- enhancing our Electronic Medical Record to reflect best practices and accurately document LGBTQ+ health status
- If you feel you have been discriminated against or would like to report harassment or unfair practices, please let us know by calling our Patient Experience Coordinator 775-770-3249.
Anti-Discrimination Statement
Saint Mary’s Health Network does not discriminate and does not permit discrimination, including, without limitation, bullying, abuse or harassment, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or HIV status, or based on association with another person on account of that person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or HIV status.