A Moment of Pride: Celebrating our Diverse Communities

In celebration of National Pride Month this June, UC San Diego Health raised Pride Flags at East Campus Medical Center, Hillcrest Medical Center and Jacobs Medical Center. 

To honor the occasion, there was a flag raising ceremony at Hillcrest Medical Center, which is home to the Owen Clinic — the largest, most comprehensive primary care center in the region for individuals living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 

Throughout June and into July, when San Diego residents celebrate pride locally, Pride flags will wave at all three of our medical centers and vibrant lighting representing the colors of the iconic rainbow Pride flag will appear at night on building exteriors of our Hillcrest Medical Center and East Campus Medical Center. 

"UC San Diego Health celebrates the diversity of the communities we serve and actively cultivates an environment where everyone that comes through our doors feels seen, heard and respected," said Patty Maysent, CEO of UC San Diego Health. "The Pride flags waving all day and the beautiful lighting at night are visual representations of awareness, inclusion, and safety – and align with our long history of providing equitable access to high quality care to the LGBTQ+ community and all who need it." 

These annual displays are meaningful expressions of UC San Diego Health’s commitment of compassionate, equitable care and continued support for LGBTQ+ patients, colleagues, family, friends and neighbors.

Since 2012, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has recognized UC San Diego Health as a Leader or High Performer in LGBT Healthcare Equality in its annual Healthcare Equality Index. UC San Diego Health was the first health care provider in San Diego County to receive this designation. To receive this designation, health systems are scored based on evaluations of patient services, support, non-discrimination, employee benefits, policies, staff training and community engagement. Designated leaders score a perfect 100 while high performers score 90 or above. 

"UC San Diego Health actively creates and supports an environment where everyone feels cared for and belongs," said Maysent. "This cherished core value shapes not only the way we care for our patients and support our team members, but also the way we engage with our community."

Happy Pride from all of us at UC San Diego Health!