Sentara Health hospitals earn national recognition for LGBTQ+ inclusive care

All 12 Sentara Health hospitals in Virginia and North Carolina have earned the High Performer designation for 2026 from the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the nation’s leading measure of inclusive, patient-centered care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals.

Out of 741 hospitals that participated in the survey, Sentara hospitals were among 343, or 46%, to earn the High Performer designation.

This designation is given to organizations that meet key requirements in areas such as patient services, workforce inclusion, and community engagement.

“This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the communities we serve,” said Becky Sawyer, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. “At Sentara, we cultivate a culture of inclusion and belonging, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcome, safe, and respected.”

Providing a safe, respectful, and affirming environment for every patient

Sentara’s efforts to advance equitable care include:

• Strengthening policies that promote non-discrimination and equal access to care
• Expanding education and training for team members on culturally competent LGBTQ+ care
• Integrating inclusive practices into clinical and operational workflows, such as the incorporation of questions on sexual orientation and gender identity to our electronic medical record to ensure appropriate interactions, pronouns, and language among patients, visitors, and staff
• Creating an environment where patients’ identities—including sexual orientation and gender identity—are understood and respected

A measure of healthcare equity and inclusion

Conducted by the Human Rights Campaign, the HEI has served for nearly two decades as a national standard for measuring health care equity and inclusion, guiding organizations in adopting best practices.

The index surveys hospitals and health systems for their policies on equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.

The index evaluates facilities across core areas, including:

• nondiscrimination and staff training
• patient services and support
• employee benefits and policies
• patient and community engagement

You can learn more about Sentara’s commitment to diversity here.