LGBTQ+ Health Care Equality Leader

Dear fellow community members and colleagues,

Like you, many of our thoughts are about safe spaces. You have heard of many safety processes and procedures, such as connecting virtually through Tele-ER options, or separate patient zones, to guard against the potential spread of infections.

However, there is much more to safe spaces for thousands of people on the Central Coast; specifically, being safe from discrimination, whether intended or not.

That is why I am enormously proud to share with you that both Tenet Health Central Coast hospitals – Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and Twin Cities Community Hospital – recently earned the distinction of being “Health Care Equality Leader” after a comprehensive assessment process by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC).

While this validation of our efforts places an emphasis on equality of treatment for patients and staff that identify as LGBTQ+, it also tacitly acknowledges that Tenet Health Central Coast hospitals take care of all patients as people – regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability or veteran status.

We unreservedly sought the challenging “Health Care Equality Leader” status and achieved perfect 100 scores in all four survey areas: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement.

At Tenet Health Central Coast, we know that being kind and being safe are integral parts of being well – and essential to being a Community Built on Care.

Warmly,

Mark Lisa, CEO
Tenet Health Central Coast