Dedicated to providing exceptional care for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, physical or mental ability, religion, sex, age, gender expression or sexual orientation, Henry Ford Allegiance Health strives to promote the principles of diversity and inclusion among staff, physicians and leaders. Earlier this year, an LGBTQ Clinical Taskforce, as well as a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, were formed at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. Diversity and inclusion education is also mandatory for all team members.
“We are excited about the initiatives to ensure Henry Ford Allegiance Health is an environment where all people feel safe and welcome, including working with a focus group of LGBTQ community members to better understand and meet their needs. Ensuring health care equality is hardwired across the organization and providing a positive patient experience for all people is an ongoing effort,” said Cindy Harrison, Vice President, Human Resources, Central Market, Henry Ford Health System.
The 2020 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, is a national benchmarking tool that evaluates the policies and practices of more than 1,600 health care facilities on the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and staff. Henry Ford Allegiance Health received a 100 percent HEI score in 2019 and 2020.
“This recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation shows our self-examination and desire to continually learn and improve. In order to fulfill our responsibility to our LGBTQ neighbors, friends and family members, we have vital work still to do,” said Harrison.
More information about Henry Ford Health System’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is available at HenryFord.com/Diversity.
About Henry Ford Allegiance Health
Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with primary and community-based to support patients across the health continuum at every stage of life. With its Level II Trauma Center, Henry Ford Allegiance Health provides comprehensive care for severely injured patients. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continually looks to the future with its Center for Health Innovation & Education and Graduate Medical Education program. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs across the region. Visit HenryFord.com/Allegiance to learn more.
About Henry Ford Health System
Under the leadership of President and CEO Wright L. Lassiter, III, Henry Ford Health System is a $6 billion integrated health system comprised of six hospitals, a health plan, and 250+ sites including medical centers, walk-in and urgent care clinics, pharmacy, eye care facilities and other healthcare retail.
Established in 1915 by auto industry pioneer Henry Ford, the health system now has 32,000 employees and remains home to the 1,900-member Henry Ford Medical Group, one of the nation’s oldest physician groups. An additional 2,200 physicians are also affiliated with the health system through the Henry Ford Physician Network.
Henry Ford is also one of the region’s major academic medical centers, receiving more than $90 million in annual research funding and remaining Michigan’s fourth largest NIH-funded institution. Also, an active participant in medical education and training, the health system has trained nearly 40% of physicians currently practicing in the state and also provides education and training for other health professionals including nurses, pharmacists, radiology and respiratory technicians.