Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center was among 13 Novant Health medical centers recently highlighted in the 2017 Healthcare Equality Index as “Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

The findings were part of HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index 2017, an annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBTQ patients by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors and team members.

Novant Health was one of only nine health care systems nationwide that have 10 or more facilities that received the recognition in the national survey, according to a news release.

Novant Health was among 302 health care providers nationwide to be named “Leaders in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.” Facilities awarded the title met key criteria, including foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ patient services and support, team member benefits and policies and LGBTQ patient and community engagement, the news release stated.

“At Novant Health, diversity and inclusion are part of our core values. We recognize that each person brings a unique perspective and value to our organization, whether as a patient or as a team member,” Tanya Blackmon, executive vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Novant Health, said in the release.