37 medical practices certified as LGBTQ Safe Spaces in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island announced 37 additional healthcare sites in the state have become certified safe zones for LGBTQ patients.
According to BCBSRI, in order to become a certified safe space, a practice must demonstrate care designed to meet the specific needs of LGBTQ patients.
With the latest 37 additions, there are now more than 100 safe zones in Rhode Island.
The following practices are now newly designated safe zones:
- Wood River Health
- Cultivating Minds Counseling Services
- Rhode Island Medical Imaging
- Thrive Behavioral Health
- Hasbro Children’s Hospital rehabilitation services
- Pappas OPT Middletown
- The Miriam Hospital Outpatient Rehab Clinic
- The Holistic Heart
- Four East Bay Community Action Program locations
- Tides Family Services
- Woman & Infants Hospital OGCC
“We applaud all of these providers for taking the initiative to join our Safe Zone program and are so pleased to welcome multi-site practices in their entirety, including all locations of RIMI and Tides Family Services,” Farah Shafi, M.D. and executive vice president and chief medical officer for BCBSRI. said.
“Being responsive to the unique needs of this community isn’t just respectful, it’s essential to quality and equitable healthcare. It encourages LGBTQ patients to seek the care they need when they might otherwise put off getting help due to feelings of alienation, fear and stress,” Shafi continued.
To learn more about the program, visit the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island LGBTQ Safe Zone website.
