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To the UVA Health Community: 

Throughout the month of June, we unite with people across the country in celebrating Pride Month, commemorating the significant impact the LGBTQ+ community has had on our society, culture, and history. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are among our shared values at UVA Health — and community engagement and health equity is one of the main pillars of our mission. We strongly support the LGBTQ+ community and we stand in solidarity because, by putting our patients at the center of everything we do, we provide compassionate and inclusive care regardless of their backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities.

This year, UVA Health embraces the theme of “Standing Together with Dignity and Determination” during Pride Month. These principles guide our shared commitment to providing a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all, and ensuring that every patient — regardless of race, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression — receives the respect and high-quality healthcare they need and deserve. 

Last year, UVA Health, UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center, and UVA Health Prince William Medical Center achieved the coveted top score of 100 from the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) — the national LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool that evaluates more than 2,200 healthcare facilities nationwide and scores them based on their policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees. This score has earned UVA Health the HEI’s highest designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader.” While we recognize we still have more we can do collectively to continue to make progress in providing equitable care for all of our patients, we are proud to be making some strides and recognized amongst the top healthcare facilities in the country who are focused on providing patient-centered care for the LGBTQ+ community and health equity for all.

In honor of Pride Month and to celebrate all members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community at UVA Health, our Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cancer Center Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and LGBTQ+ and Transgender Advisory Committee will host a Pride Month Celebration on Friday, June 30 (new date), 2:30-4:30 p.m., on the Roof Garden of Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. All are invited to attend. 

As always, we extend our sincere gratitude to all our team members for all you do to actively embody and live out our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond.  

Sincerely, 

Tracy M. Downs, MD
Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer, UVA Health

K. Craig Kent, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health

Marianne Baernholdt, RN
Dean, UVA School of Nursing

Wendy Horton, PharmD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Medical Center

Scott Just, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Physicians Group

Melina R. Kibbe, MD
Dean, UVA School of Medicine

Erik Shannon
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Community Health