, Dec. 10, 2015 — For the third consecutive year, Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville was named a national "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality."
The Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home, providing comprehensive skilled nursing 24 hours a day — part of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley — received the honor from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.
The foundation gives the distinction to U.S. healthcare facilities that meet LGBT-inclusive benchmarks contained in the foundation's national Healthcare Equality Index 2015. The index is an annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBT people in the United States by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBT patients, visitors and employees.
Mountainside earned top marks in meeting nondiscrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who may face significant challenges in securing the quality healthcare and respect they deserve.
"All of us at Mountainside are honored to receive this highest recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation," said Mountainside Administrator Philip Mehl.
"Our award-winning facility is nationally known for providing the highest quality of healthcare excellence, in an inclusive, welcoming environment, to everyone we serve and employ, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or social class," he said.
To be named a leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality, Mountainside had to meet key criteria, including resident and employee nondiscrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.
The Healthcare Equality Index offers healthcare 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 2015, or to download a free copy of the report, visit hrc.org/hei.
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About Mountainside Residential Care Center
Mountainside Residential Care Center is an 82-bed, Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home providing 24-hour, skilled-nursing services in a comfortable, comprehensive and accessible setting. It can serve frail, elderly people with chronic disabilities, younger adults suffering from traumatic brain injury or other physical disabilities, and individuals with short-term rehabilitation or sub-acute treatment needs including wound care, intravenous therapy and tracheostomies.
About HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley®
HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley® is the alignment of HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary's Avenue Campus and Broadway Campus, as well as Margaretville Hospital, Mountainside Residential Care Center and Woodland Pond at New Paltz. As the parent organization with a unified governance structure, the goal of HealthAlliance is to strengthen the quality of care and bring forward enhanced technology to serve the present and future healthcare needs in the Hudson Valley. HealthAlliance and its affiliate facilities are committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and ensuring patient safety, privacy and dignity to all. For further information about HealthAlliance, visit our website at hahv.org.