Newswise — SEATTLE – Today Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) was recognized as a ‘Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality’ by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation in its 2014 Healthcare Equality Index. The annual survey encourages equal care for LGBT Americans, and recognizes health care institutions doing the best work. SCCA earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.

“We’re honored to receive recognition from HRC for a second year in a row,” said Alphonso Emery, director of diversity and human resources at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. “SCCA is committed to providing our patients and staff with an inclusive and welcoming environment that is conducive to each and every one of their needs.”

SCCA was one of a select group of 426 health care facilities nationwide to be named as a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality. Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex couples and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.

The Healthcare Equality Index offers health care facilities unique and powerful resources designed to help provide equal care to a long-overlooked group of patients, as well as assistance in complying with new regulatory requirements and access to high-quality staff training.

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2014, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/hei.

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About Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is a cancer treatment center that unites doctors from Fred Hutch Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s. Our goal, every day, is to turn cancer patients into cancer survivors. Our purpose is to lead the world in the prevention and treatment of cancer. SCCA has five clinical care sites: an outpatient clinic on the Fred Hutch, a pediatric inpatient unit at Seattle Children’s, an adult inpatient unit at UW Medical Center, a medical oncology clinic at EvergreenHealth, and medical and radiation oncology clinics at UW Medicine / Northwest Hospital & Medical Center. Additionally, proton therapy services are provided at SCCA Proton Therapy, A Procure Center. For more information about SCCA, visit www.seattlecca.org.