Healthcare Equality Assessment and Certification Standards
Keck Medicine of USC hospitals and USC Student Health received the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2026 Healthcare Equality Index. This recognition represents the highest acknowledgement of an institution's commitment to LGBTQ+ patient inclusion and equity.
The Healthcare Equality Index functions as the healthcare industry's standard benchmarking instrument for assessing LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity practices. Evaluation encompasses five principal criteria: non-discrimination policies and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, patient and community engagement, and responsible institutional citizenship.
To achieve LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation, healthcare facilities must receive maximum scores across all criteria and achieve an overall assessment score of 100. Both Keck Medicine of USC and USC Student Health accomplished this standard.
Healthcare Institutions and Service Portfolio
Keck Medicine encompasses Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and USC Arcadia Hospital. Keck Hospital, USC Norris, and USC Verdugo Hills have now received the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader distinction eight times, whilst USC Arcadia has received the designation twice since its 2022 affiliation with Keck Medicine.
USC Student Health, which delivers comprehensive healthcare to USC students, participated in the evaluation for the third time and joins a select cohort of college healthcare providers receiving leader status.
Gender-Affirming Healthcare and Professional Services
Keck Medicine spearheads multiple initiatives and programs supporting LGBTQ+ communities, demonstrating commitment to inclusion and equity.
The USC Gender Affirming Care Program offers evidence-based comprehensive healthcare tailored to transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse patients. The program employs a dedicated patient navigator who provides individualised assistance throughout patients' healthcare experiences.
The health system sponsors the Latino Equality Alliance LGBTQ+ Youth College Scholarship Program, which includes specific Keck Medicine scholarships supporting LGBTQ+ students pursuing healthcare professions. Keck Medicine additionally sponsors the annual Los Angeles Pride Parade in partnership with the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Community Partnerships and Employee Engagement
The health system collaborates with multiple local LGBTQ+ nonprofit organisations. These include The TransLatin@ Coalition, a transgender-led nonprofit organisation advocating for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex immigrants; and Bienestar, a community-based service organisation addressing health concerns affecting Latinx and LGBTQ+ populations.
Since 2015, the Keck Pride employee resource group has functioned as a cornerstone for creating welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ patients, families, and staff, driving numerous institutional initiatives.
Institutional Commitment and Mission
Rod Hanners, Chief Executive Officer of Keck Medicine, stated: "Every patient deserves safe and respectful care, and Keck Medicine is proud to serve the diverse needs of the LGBTQ+ community. This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering personalized, compassionate medicine and fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for all."
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation serves as the educational division of the Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights organisation working to achieve equity for LGBTQ+ people.
North American Editorial Office: Robin