New Mexicans face numerous barriers to quality health care, including lack of insurance, housing, and transportation options. Additionally, many in the LGBTQ+ community are concerned about being treated unfairly or disrespectfully by health care providers.
Leaders at the University of New Mexico Hospital aim to ensure that gender or sexual orientation does not affect an individual's care, treatment, or employment. For over a decade, New Mexico’s only Level-I Trauma Center has been recognized nationally by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for its efforts toward health care equality.
UNM Hospital was recently awarded the 2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer designation in the 16th edition of the National LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). According to the HRC, nearly 2,400 health care facilities nationwide were evaluated for HEI. UNM Hospital ranks among 462 “High Performers” across the country.
“UNM Hospital was the first hospital in New Mexico to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign. We got this designation for the first time in 2013, and we have consistently been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for all of our efforts to take care of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Fabián Armijo, MHA, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at UNM Hospital.
To qualify for this recognition, participants must answer questions about LGBTQ+ inclusivity in their health care facilities. The questionnaire covers topics such as non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, patient and community engagement, and responsible citizenship.
Fabián Armijo stated that health care facility leaders can apply for this designation every two years. “It is a chance to really look inward at the hospital,” he said. “We look at our policies, our practices; we hear from the community about what they wish we had in our institution to help them have better health outcomes and feel more comfortable.”
Armijo noted some changes implemented at UNM Hospital since 2022 include removing natal sex from patient bracelets and allowing administrators to highlight a patient’s preferred name on their wristbands. Since 2017, UNM Hospital has also made adjustments to its electronic medical record system to include patients’ preferred gender identity alongside natal sex. These updates are part of employee training aimed at helping providers respect patients' identities.
Armijo emphasized that fostering equality outside the hospital is as important as internal efforts. “One of the ways that we engage with the LGBTQ+ community as a hospital is going out there and marching for Pride," he said. "Part of the mission of UNM Hospital is to serve the underserved."
Regardless of personal background or origin, Armijo expressed pride in creating an environment where everyone feels welcome at UNM Hospital. “Nobody wants to come to the hospital... but hopefully when people see that we have this designation, it helps [the] queer community or [the] LGBTQ+ community feel more comfortable coming to us for their care.”
Looking ahead to future application periods with a stronger focus on community engagement and social media presence, Armijo said: “One of the things I hope to achieve in the next two years is really building more trust with [the] LGBTQ+ community... You have to make time to listen to people and then really value [their] feedback.”
For more information on resources and programs from UNM Hospital's Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion or details on upcoming events and contacts, visit their website.
To read HRC’s full Healthcare Equality Index 2024 report click here.