UCHealth named a 2026 LGBTQ+ healthcare equity leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
National designation reflects UCHealth’s commitment to inclusive, respectful care for patients, families and communities
Key Takeaways
- UCHealth was recognized as 2026 healthcare equity leaders by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
- The Healthcare Equity Index recognizes healthcare organizations for inclusive policies, staff training, patient services, employee benefits and community engagement
- The designation reflects UCHealth’s commitment to respectful, inclusive care for LGBTQ+ patients, families and communities
Aurora, Colo. (June 16, 2026) – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) has recognized UCHealth hospitals and clinics as “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders” in the 2026 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), a national benchmark of inclusive policies and practices that support LGBTQ+ patients, families, and employees.
“This recognition reflects the work happening across our system to create an environment where every patient feels respected, heard and safe,” said David Mafe, UCHealth’s chief diversity officer and vice president of human resources. “It’s not about a single program or policy - it’s about showing up consistently for patients and our community in ways that build trust and improve care.”
The designation follows a comprehensive review of each organization’s policies, practices, and patient experience. The HEI evaluates health systems on areas including nondiscrimination protections, staff training, patient services, employee benefits, and community engagement.
“Health care access for the LGBTQ+ community in 2026 is a tale of both important progress and dangerous setbacks," said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Even amid extraordinary pressure, many healthcare institutions are continuing to show up for LGBTQ+ patients and staff. Doctors want to take care of their patients in the best way they can. Even so, disinformation campaigns are having a real impact on people’s lives. It’s vital for all LGBTQ+ people to get the most accurate information we have on access to care across the country, and we are proud of the ways in which the HEI helps the community understand this.”
The Healthcare Equality Index is the nation’s leading benchmarking tool for evaluating LGBTQ+ inclusion in health care settings.
UCHealth will continue building on this work as part of its broader commitment to improving access, experience and outcomes for all patients.
About UCHealth
UCHealth is a nationally recognized nonprofit health system that pushes the boundaries of medicine through advanced treatments and clinical trials, improving health through innovation and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Investing $1.6 billion in community benefits including $762 million in uncompensated and charity care each year, UCHealth is Colorado’s largest Medicaid provider and dedicated to the communities it serves. With the region’s only adult academic medical center, University of Colorado Hospital on the CU Anschutz campus, UCHealth includes 37,000 employees, 15 acute-care hospitals and thousands of physicians across Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska.