March 31, 2016, Morristown, NJ – Morristown Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, Newton Medical Center, and Goryeb Children’s Hospital were recognized by the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index as Leaders in LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Healthcare Equality. This is Morristown Medical Center’s third year, Overlook and Newton Medical Center’s second year, and Goryeb Children’s Hospital’s first year achieving this recognition. Goryeb Children’s Hospital is one of only 27 children’s hospitals in the nation with this recognition, ensuring LGBT children or their families receive unbiased care as they undergo health challenges and changes during this highly-critical developmental time.
“Morristown Medical Center is again proud to be recognized as a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality, promoting a safe environment for all people within our healing culture,” said Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, interim president at Morristown Medical Center. “We are also pleased to welcome Goryeb Children’s Hospital as one of the few children’s hospitals in the country to be recognized to this list, reinforcing the commitment of our medical staff and employees to the young LGBT community.”
The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is a national benchmarking tool that evaluates health care facilities’ policies and practices related to the equality and inclusion of their LGBT patients, visitors and employees. The four Atlantic Health System hospitals join only 10 other hospitals in the state to be recognized. The Healthcare Equality Index rated 2,061 of the nation’s health care facilities on their commitment to LGBT equality and inclusion based on four foundational elements of LGBT patient-centered care: an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policy, an LGBT-inclusive visitation policy, an LGBT-inclusive employment non-discrimination policy and staff training in LGBT patient-centered care. Of the health care facilities rated, 496 were designated a 2016 Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality.
About Morristown Medical Center
Morristown Medical Center, located in Morristown, NJ, is a nationally-ranked regional medical center and a recognized leader in cardiovascular medicine, orthopedics and nursing. The hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top hospital nationwide for cardiology and heart surgery, geriatrics, orthopedics and pulmonology. Morristown Medical Center also ranked as a “Best Regional Hospital” for neurology and neurosurgery, as well as gastroenterology & GI Surgery, gynecology, nephrology and urology. Morristown Medical Center’s Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute performs more cardiac surgeries than any other hospital in New Jersey, placing its cardiac program in the top two percent in the country. The Atlantic Orthopedic Institute at Morristown Medical Center does the highest volume of joint and spine surgeries in New Jersey. In 2014, the hospital was re-designated a Magnet Hospital for Excellence in Nursing Service, the highest level of recognition by American Nurses Credentialing Center for facilities that provide acute care services, a distinction awarded to less than five percent of U.S. hospitals. Morristown Medical Center is certified as a Level I Regional Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, and designated a Level II Trauma Center by the state of New Jersey. Morristown Medical Center is part of Atlantic Health System, one of the largest non-profit health care systems in New Jersey.