LGBTQ+ Equality
Equitable and Inclusive care
Hackensack Meridian Health is dedicated to providing respectful, compassionate care that addresses healthcare disparities and promotes culturally competent care for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ+) team members, patients, and their families.
“At Hackensack Meridian Health we are focused on creating a fair, equitable and inclusive environment for the patients, families and communities we serve,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are so proud that each one of our network hospitals are recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation this year, a testament to our steadfast commitment to meet the unique health care needs of LGBTQ+ patients and their families.”
Eleven Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals earned “LGBTQ+ Health Care Equality Leader” designation – with a perfect score of 100:
- Bayshore Medical Center, Holmdel
- Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune City
- JFK University Medical Center, Edison
- Mountainside Medical Center, Montclair
- Ocean University Medical Center, Brick
- Old Bridge Medical Center, Old Bridge
- Pascack Valley Medical Center, Westwood
- Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy
- Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank
- Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin
Two Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals earned the HEI “Top Performer” – scoring from 80 95 points:
- Carrier Clinic, Belle Mead
- Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen
Equal visitation and nondiscrimination
Respecting the needs of a culturally diverse clientele and recognizing the advantages of having families at the bedside, we acknowledge that visiting patients is a desirable component of patient-centered care.
Patients (or their representatives, where appropriate) may designate who may and may not visit the patient, including but not limited to a spouse, a domestic or civil union partner (including a same-sex partner), another family member or a friend. Patients have the right to withdraw or deny consent, in whole or in part, to visiting at any time. Medical Center policy prohibits illegal discrimination against patients or their visitors because of their age, race, creed, color, nationality, national origin (including immigration status and English language proficiency), ancestry, marital status, familial status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, sex, gender identity or expression (including with respect to access to facilities), affectional or sexual orientation, sex stereotyping, disability, nationality, or religion. Hackensack University Medical Center complies with The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1, et seq.), Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18116) and its implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 92, and all other applicable laws governing discrimination.
Visiting may be restricted based on the patient’s clinical condition and care needs. Staff will explain to patients and visitors any clinically necessary or reasonable restriction or limitation of visiting. The explanation will include the reasons for and expected length of restrictions or limitations.
All designated visitors must behave appropriately while on the hospital campus and follow the direction of hospital staff. Visitors that fail to do so may be required to leave the facility or be subject to other limitations.