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LGBTQ+ Care

Healthcare Equality High Performer

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Honored for Commitment to LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) has earned national recognition for its dedication to inclusive and equitable care for the LGBTQ+ community. All eligible VMFH hospitals were named “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performers” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), a distinction that underscores VMFH’s commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and compassionate care.

The HEI, the leading benchmarking survey for LGBTQ+ inclusion in health care, evaluates facilities on policies and practices that promote equitable treatment for LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees. VMFH’s recognition highlights its unwavering focus on removing barriers to care for LGBTQ+ individuals and creating a safe environment for both patients and team members.

“As a mission-driven organization founded to care for all, providing safe, knowledgeable, and affirming care to LGBTQ+ patients is a vital part of who we are,” said Ketul J. Patel, CEO of VMFH and president of CommonSpirit Health's Northwest Region. “Our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and community members have long faced challenges in accessing health care. This recognition is a testament to our compassionate teams, who strive every day to ensure patients feel welcome, heard, and respected.”

LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality

What Makes This Recognition Special

The HEI scores health care facilities on five pillars critical to LGBTQ+ equity:

  • Non-discrimination and staff training
  • Patient services and support
  • Employee benefits and policies
  • Patient and community engagement
  • Responsible citizenship

Among the 1,065 health care facilities evaluated in 2024, VMFH hospitals stood out for their comprehensive efforts to improve LGBTQ+ health care. Recognized hospitals include:

  • St. Anne Hospital, Burien
  • St. Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor
  • St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood
  • St. Elizabeth Hospital, Enumclaw
  • St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way
  • St. Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma
  • St. Michael Medical Center, Silverdale
  • Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle
     
Healthcare Equity Map

Commitment in Action

VMFH implemented numerous initiatives to improve LGBTQ+ patient experiences and health outcomes. Key efforts included:

  • Expanding staff training on LGBTQ+ care and inclusivity.
  • Updating patient forms and IT systems to capture preferred pronouns.
  • Revising policies to explicitly support LGBTQ+ employees and patients.
  • Engaging with LGBTQ+ community members to solicit feedback and drive meaningful change.

“This recognition reflects our ongoing journey to advance health equity and ensure our care sites are truly inclusive,” Patel added. “It’s about more than policies—it’s about people.”

A Legacy of Caring

VMFH’s recognition by the HEI builds on its legacy of serving diverse communities. This includes its leadership in operating the Bailey-Boushay House, a groundbreaking care center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and its commitment to advancing health for vulnerable populations across the Puget Sound region.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is proud to be a leader in LGBTQ+ health care and to honor its mission of bringing humankindness to every patient, every time.

Learn more about VMFH’s commitment to LGBTQ+ health and equity.
   
   

A Family’s Journey: Celebrating Milestones with Love, Pride, and Joy

A Family’s Journey: Celebrating Milestones with Love, Pride, and Joy

At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health’s (VMFH) Birth Center, care goes beyond medical excellence—it’s about creating moments that matter. For Sarah and her partner, iea, that meant celebrating not only the early arrival of their twins but also Sarah’s incredible academic achievement: earning her PhD just three days before giving birth.

Sarah and iea had spent nearly seven years working toward Sarah’s doctorate in Special Education at the University of Washington. But just as she defended her dissertation, their twin boys made an unexpected entrance into the world at 33 weeks and 6 days.

From the moment they arrived at the Birth Center, Sarah and iea felt supported. “It feels like the team is family,” Sarah said. “They provided amazing physical care and emotional support. It was a safe space where we truly felt seen and cared for.”

A Graduation Celebration Like No Other

During their 28-day stay, iea wanted to honor Sarah’s milestone. They approached the care team about hosting a graduation celebration in the hospital, and the staff embraced the idea. Nurses and doctors worked together to plan a surprise event.

The day of the party, the Birth Center transformed into a celebration space. Nurses decorated with balloons and a handmade sign, threw confetti, and played music. Dr. Liezl Sapico, their obstetrician, brought a cake, and Sarah’s academic advisor joined to present her doctoral hood.

“It was so special,” Sarah said. “It’s a testament to the patient-centered care the team provides. It brought us so much joy.”

Nurses Throw Graduation Party for Mom in the Hospital–Then Another for Her Twins

Celebrating the Twins' NICU Graduation

Four weeks later, the Birth Center team held another celebration—this time for the twins' discharge from the NICU. Dressed in tiny purple caps and gowns, the babies were cheered on by the care team, who presented them with graduation certificates and decorations. Nurses even came in on their days off to celebrate, and one nurse hand-knitted rainbow hats for the occasion.

“Graduating from the NICU is a big milestone,” said Mary O’Brien, one of the nurses. “I’m honored to be part of their birth story.”

For Sarah and iea, these moments transformed what could have been a difficult journey into a joyful and unforgettable experience.

“Our story is full of beauty and joy, but there were hard moments too,” iea said. “What made it less hard was having our care team by our side. We are so grateful and wanted to share our story so others may find that same care.”
  
  
Read more about women's health and how you come first at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health >>