(Left to Right) Maya Lucas, M.D., Holy Cross Medical Group; Jason Ceavers, M.D., Holy Cross Medical Group; Rudy Molinet, Holy Cross Board Chair; Von Biggs, Community Health and Well-being Coordinator; and Kim Saiswick, VP of Community Health and Well-being
Holy Cross Health was presented with the Equality Means Business Award during Equality Florida’s Studio 54-themed gala.
The Equality Means Business Award recognizes businesses that are courageously, passionately and unwaveringly committed to moving the LGBTQ+ community closer to full equality and businesses that have adopted comprehensive non-discrimination policies and demonstrate their commitment to valuing and pro-actively including all employees. Holy Cross Health was the only business in Broward County to be honored this year.
“It was an incredible celebration for the LGBTQ+ community and Equality Florida, the state’s leading LGBTQ+ Human Rights organization,” said Rudy Molinet, Holy Cross Health’s Board Chair. “This was a proud moment for me personally as a member of LGBTQ+ community and as chair of our Board. I think it speaks volumes for our ministry and broadcasts to the LGBTQ+ community that Holy Cross is a welcoming and inclusive place to meet their healthcare needs. Everyone is welcome at Holy Cross with dignity and respect”.
Molinet was joined at the gala by Kim Saiswick, VP of Community Health and Well-being, who accepted the award on behalf of Holy Cross. Also attending from Holy Cross were Mary Carter Waren, Mission Leader; Jason Ceavers, M.D.; Maya Lucas, M.D.; Von Biggs, Community Outreach Coordinator; Teresa Deasy, R.N., BSN, M.S., Vice President of Operations; and Natasha Domond, MHA, CSPPM, Director of Operations; as well as numerous donors. Holy Cross Health has raised more than $1 million from members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Receiving the Equality Means Business Award from Equality Florida is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to inclusivity and equity at Holy Cross Health,” said Saiswick.“It is not about winning a prize or trophy. For us, it is a testament to the values we live and breathe everyday. Together we are not only making progress; we are making history.”
By ensuring compliance with rules and regulations prohibiting discrimination, Holy Cross Health provides and promotes a safe and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and employees of all sexual orientations and gender identities where every person feels included, valued and has a sense of belonging. Their mission is one of service to those in need of help and healing in body, mind and spirit.
The hospital and doctors’ offices are marked as “SAFE” spaces for patients to freely discuss all healthcare concerns, including those related to LGBTQ+ issues, in a judgement-free zone. Patients are given the opportunity to designate their sexual orientation and gender identity on documentation and their preferred pronouns are used in conversations and in their medical record. Holy Cross Health staff is specially trained to respectfully interact with LGBTQ+ patients and families without exhibiting an unconscious bias.
“My first experience with Holy Cross Health was about nine years ago when my husband was a patient. I was initially concerned how we would be viewed as a same-sex couple going to the hospital. I can tell you with certainty that we were treated as family. After going through that experience, I will never go to another healthcare provider in South Florida,” said David Jobin, President and CEO of The Our Fund Foundation. “I think what makes Holy Cross special is that they show up at every pride and LGBTQ+ event. To LGBTQ+ folks, it’s essential that we have culturally competent doctors and healthcare professionals, and I found that at every level of Holy Cross.”
Holy Cross Health’s inclusive policy extends to staff members. Employees who are part of the community are provided with inclusive benefits for themselves, as well as their families and domestic partners. All staff members are invited and welcome to join Holy Cross Health’s SPIRIT Business Group, an LGBTQ+ employee resource group that also welcomes allies.
As a not-for-profit healthcare organization dedicated to the well-being of all people, including the LGBTQIA+ community, Holy Cross Health understands the nuances and challenges faced by this diverse group, which is crucial to provide effective support. This involves recognizing the diverse and complex experiences within the community, including the challenges in accessing healthcare, behavioral health services and social acceptance.
Holy Cross Medical Group has been providing care in its Wilton Manors office since 1999. Trinity Health, of which Holy Cross is a member, developed a supplier diversity program in 2022 that includes purchasing products from LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
Holy Cross has long been an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. During the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic of the late 1980s, Sister Elizabeth, RSM, was among the first to volunteer to care for HIV-infected babies. Healthcare professionals at Holy Cross were also among the first in Broward County to treat individuals diagnosed with “Gay-Related Immune Deficiency (GRID),” “Community-Acquired Immunodeficiency (CAID)” and “Acquired Community Immunodeficiency.”
As the epidemic unfolded, Holy Cross forged relationships with community agencies that serve the LGBTQ+ community by sharing funding and providing clinical services, housing, hospice care, transportation and social services. Along with other community partners, they participated in the first AIDS Walk in Fort Lauderdale in 1986. Broward County remains the second highest in the nation for new infections. Holy Cross continues to stand as a beacon of hope, caring for those living with HIV and those who progress to AIDS.
Holy Cross Health remains actively involved in the community through advocacy work, viewing it as a powerful tool for change and to rectify injustices. They seek to use their voice to uplift marginalized groups and challenge systemic barriers by having a spot at the table on the local, state and federal levels.
Earlier this year, Holy Cross Health received “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). And, last year, José Javier, Community Health and Well-Being Outreach Coordinator at Holy Cross, received the Magno Morales Outstanding Immigrant Award from Latinos enAcción (LEA), an advisory group to the Broward County HIV Prevention Planning Council(BCHPPC). He was honored for his resiliency and commitment to improving the health and growth of other immigrants and for his involvement in Latinos enAcción.
ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH
A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, not-for-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2024-25 Best Hospital rankings and was named among the 2024 America’s Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also encompasses Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, an urgent care center and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect @holycrossfl.
