Holy Cross Health recognized by Equality Florida
By Savannah Whaley
Klifton Fehr, a licensed mental health counselor and an internationally certified group psychotherapist, once considered Holy Cross Health as only a community partner and a resource to which he could direct patients.
That was until a blood test led to a diagnosis of a pituitary tumor, and he became a patient headed for cranial surgery.
“They were very reaffirming as to not only the care that could be provided, but also the feelings that came up surrounding the anxiety and the immediate shock of everything,” Fehr shared. “Not only did they see me, but they saw my fiancé with tears in his eyes.”
Holy Cross Health is the only business in Broward County to be recently honored by Equality Florida with its Equality Means Business Award, which recognizes businesses that are committed to moving the LGBTQA+ community closer to full equality.
“Holy Cross has been servicing the LGBTQ community since its inception, and we have a medical group office that’s been located right on Wilton Drive since ‘99,” said Kim Saiswick, Holy Cross VP of Community Health and Well-being. “We’re not just here showing up for Pride. We’re here every day to serve the community.”
The fact that Holy Cross participated in the first AIDS Walk in Fort Lauderdale is only one way they have walked the walk. Healthcare professionals at Holy Cross were among the first in Broward County to treat individuals diagnosed with Gay-Related Immune Deficiency (GRID), Community-Acquired Immunodeficiency (CAID) and Acquired Community Immunodeficiency.
Saiswick has seen changes in the nearly 30 years she has worked with Holy Cross.
“I think that the workplace has become much more accepting, and people feel much more comfortable sharing who they are, their authentic selves,” she said. “There is a very high acceptance and tolerance. Overall, it has really been a testament to the values that we live and breathe because people are very comfortable, whether it’s the colleagues who work here, or the community who stays with us, or visits us, or utilizes our services.”
It comes from the top. Holy Cross Health’s Board Chair Rudy Molinet is a member of the LGBTQA+ community. In addition, the not-for-profit is part of the Trinity Health System, which Saiswick said is very committed to continuing its DEI efforts.
Some of the policies and programs include marking the hospital and doctors’ offices as Safe Spaces that invite patients to discuss all healthcare concerns in a judgment-free zone.
Patients are also encouraged to designate their sexual orientation and gender identity on documentation, which allows preferred pronouns to be used in conversations and in medical records.
The staff is specially trained to respectfully interact with patients and families through virtual classes, a free online educational library, and in-person sessions, including unconscious bias training that is required for all colleagues and board members.
“Both within the Black and Brown community, as well as within the LGBTQA+ community, we’ve been really concerned about how well we’re going to be treated when we need to be treated for healthcare concerns,” Fehr said.
He is feeling well following his surgery and his first-hand experience with Holy Cross Health.
“It’s imperative to have a space or a place like Holy Cross that’s not only providing services to the community but also making it a point to stand in solidarity with the community,” Fehr stressed.
“That should be the benchmark,” he continued. “They have incentivized me. I want to make sure that my practitioners are operating the same way with each and every one of the patients that come through our doors.”
