The Institute for Family Health Celebrates Pride

The Institute Named as a High Performer in 2026 Healthcare Equality Index

The Institute Joins Historic State-Wide Network of LGBTQIA+ Service Providers

New York, NY (June 11, 2026) – As Pride Month is celebrated across New York State communities and beyond, the Institute for Family Health announces its designation as a High Performer in the 2026 Healthcare Equality Index. This prestigious recognition from the Human Rights Campaign is given to organizations that meet high standards for equitable and respectful care for LGBTQIA+ patients, including through explicit nondiscrimination policies, trained staff, accurate patient information, inclusive services, equitable employee benefits and meaningful community engagement to build patient trust. The Institute was one of 343 healthcare facilities to receive the designation of High Performer nationwide.

“The Institute for Family Health is proud to ensure access to care for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community through comprehensive primary care, mental health, dental care and support services,” said Dr. Eric Gayle, President and CEO of the Institute for Family Health.

The biennial Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the industry standard benchmarking tool for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equity practices in the health care field by promoting the standard that every patient deserves safe, respectful, inclusive, dignified care. “Health care access for the LGBTQIA+ community in 2026 is a tale of both important progress and dangerous setbacks,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement. “Even amid extraordinary pressure, many healthcare institutions are continuing to show up for LGBTQ+ patients and staff.”

The full 2026 Healthcare Equality Index is available online. This year, in recognition of the threats to health care access for transgender youth in particular, the Human Rights Campaign included a “Transgender Healthcare Access Alert” statement next to all organizations listed in the index. Despite a challenging moment for LGBTQIA+ inclusive health care, nearly 750 health care facilities completed the HEI survey this year, including 49 new participants.

In addition, the Institute for Family Health recently joined the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health & Human Services Network (The Network), a coalition administered by The Center that comprises over 60 LGBTQIA+ -specific and LGBTQIA+ -supportive nonprofit organizations that provide care to LGBTQIA+  New Yorkers and their families. The coalition recently began an expansion effort, its first in eight years, to include an array of members across all 62 NYS counties who share a commitment to increasing the safety, freedom, quality of life, and wellbeing of every LGBTQIA+ person in the state.

The Institute invites all members of the community to access comprehensive primary care, mental health care, dental care and social support services at any of our locations in New York City and the Mid-Hudson Valley. Institute staff will be available at upcoming Pride events to provide information and assist any individual in accessing care.

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The Institute for Family Health is a federally qualified health center network in New York State serving 100,000 patients annually. Services are available to people of all ages, regardless of ability to pay.