Wins designation as LGBTQ+ Safe Zone
Safe Zones
are represented by a broad range of adult and pediatric services including behavioral
health, primary care, medical imaging, physical therapy, obstetrics and
gynecology.
Certification requirements for
BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zones include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ
patients, protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender
identity or expression, gender neutral bathrooms, inclusive forms and
procedures, and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ
community.
Many members of the LGBTQ+ population don’t seek the health care services they require to maintain or improve their health, especially when they have previously experienced discrimination from a health care provider. “Health care access is stark throughout much of our nation, but the access rate is even bleaker among the LGBTQ+ population,” stated Jonathan Gates, MDCM, Wood River Health’s Chief Medical Officer.
“As a Safe Zone, Wood River Health has proven that we
provide safe, affirming, and inclusive care to the members of the LGBTQ+
community.”
The following facilities have sites newly designated as Safe Zones:
- Wood River Health
- Cultivating Minds
Counseling Services
- Rhode Island
Medical Imaging
- Thrive Behavioral
Health
- Hasbro Children’s
Hospital rehabilitation services
- Pappas OPT
Middletown (occupational and physical therapy)
- The Miriam Hospital
Outpatient Rehab Clinic
- The Holistic Heart
(therapy services)
- East Bay Community
Action Program (four locations)
- Tides Family
Services (cognitive behavioral therapy, structured recreation, afterschool
programming and more)
- Women & Infants
Hospital OGCC (obstetrics and gynecology)
“We applaud all of these providers for taking the initiative to join our Safe Zone program and are so pleased to welcome multi-site practices in their entirety, including all locations of RIMI and Tides Family Services,” said Farah Shafi, M.D., M.B.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for BCBSRI.
“Being
responsive to the unique needs of this community isn’t just respectful, it’s
essential to quality and equitable healthcare. It encourages LGBTQ patients to
seek the care they need when they might otherwise put off getting help due to
feelings of alienation, fear and stress.”
Since BCBSRI launched the
program in 2016, 117 healthcare sites have achieved BCBSRI Safe Zone
designation. Scott Gowrie, Safe Zone program lead for BCBSRI, said,
“We’re so grateful that providers all across Rhode Island and representing so
many different types of programs and services, have joined us in this campaign
to better serve our long and historically underserved LGBTQ community. The fact
that in such a short period of time so many providers have come to us and
demonstrated they are truly welcoming of this population speaks to its success
and growing popularity.”
BCBSRI solicits applications
and designates new LGBTQ Safe Zones twice a year. To learn more about the
program, or if you are a provider or practice looking to become certified,
visit the BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone website.