Diversity and Inclusion

At St. Mary's Medical Center we embrace our diverse community and celebrate our differences.

 

Introduction

St. Mary's Medical Center was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1856 with the mission to serve and better the health of the citizens of San Francisco. St. Mary's Medical Center is a Catholic Hospital that follows the Ethical and Religious Directives, and remains committed to serving each member of our community. With our history rooted in kindness, we aim to deliver compassionate, high quality, affordable healthcare to all members of our community, with a special calling to the poor.

It is the policy of Dignity Health and St. Mary's Medical Center not to:

  • exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against, any participants, beneficiaries, applicants, and employees, including sensory-impaired persons;
  • do so on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and
  • do so in admission to, participation in, or in receipt of the services and benefits of any of its programs and activities or in employment therein.

We uphold this policy whether carried out by Dignity Health directly or through a contractor or any other entity with whom Dignity Health arranges to carry out its programs and activities.

LGBTQ Care

At Dignity Health, all patients should expect to be treated with courtesy and respect and receive the highest level of care. We support the health of all patients regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. 

We understand the unique health needs of the LGBTQ community, and we work hard to ensure that patients receive quality, inclusive, culturally competent care.

Find a Provider

  • GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality – Resources for patients, providers, and transgender individuals, including finding a provider. www.glma.org
  • The San Francisco AIDS Foundation provides many free and confidential services at sites throughout the city, including testing and treatment for HIV and STI’s  The San Francisco AIDS Foundation also facilitates support groups, including groups for long-term survivors of HIV, queer and trans people of color, latinx, and many more. https://www.sfaf.org/services/sexual-health-and-testing/
  • The UCSF Women’s Health Clinic is staffed primarily with internal medicine physicians who are experienced with caring for the health of lesbians. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics/womens-health-primary-care
  • Lyon-Martin Healthcare Clinic is a local clinic focused on providing lesbians affordable, quality healthcare services. http://lyon-martin.org/
  • The mission of the Alliance Health Project is to care for the mental health and wellness of the LGBTQ community. https://alliancehealthproject.ucsf.edu/

Equal Visitation

St. Mary's Medical Center is a patient and family-centered care facility that respects patients’ rights to visitation.

 

The hospital is committed to encouraging and supporting the presence and participation of family members and others who play a significant role in the physical care and emotional support of patients. St. Mary's shall not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or disability. Visitors shall enjoy full and equal privileges which are consistent with patient preferences.

 

Patients (or representatives) are informed of their visitation rights upon admission or registration. Patients (or representatives) are informed of their right, subject to his or her consent, to receive the visitors whom he or she designates, including, but not limited to, a spouse, domestic partners, partners in civil union and both different-sex and same-sex significant others, a minor patient’s parents, regardless of the gender of either parent, another family member, or a friend, and his or her right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.

LGBTQ Health Topics

The Human Rights Campaign:  

WPATH – The World Professional Association of Transgender Health provides education on advancements in care for transgender patients. www.wpath.org 

Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Gender Institute: Learn more about the Gender Institute, with links to resources: Dignity Health Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Gender Institute

HIV Resources: Learn more about HIV through the Centers for Disease Control: HIV