Chatham Hospital holds first Pride walk

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SILER CITY — As part of an ongoing effort to increase inclusivity, Chatham Hospital hosted its inaugural Pride walk last Thursday to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

A small group of 13 hospital staff members from various departments gathered in the lobby then walked outside in the sweltering heat around the perimeter of the hospital. As they marched, staff members held up signs with messages of support like “You are safe here,” “LGBTQ allies are the best” and “Trans lives matter.”

Although the turnout may have seemed small, participants said it gave them something to build on for the future.

Scott Wood, the healthcare system manager of patient access for Chatham Hospital, leads the hospital’s inclusivity and equity committee. He said he organized the march because he believes June — designated as Pride Month — provides dedicated time to be vocal about the support of the LGBTQ+ community.

“We are here to show solidarity with our fellow LGBTQIA+ coworkers, patients and community members,” Wood told his coworkers. “At Chatham Hospital our message is simple: you are safe here. Regardless of your age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or socioeconomic status you will receive equitable and passionate care that will be provided with dignity and respect.”

Wood said he wanted the hospital to do its part to support and uplift members of the LGBTQ+ community by spreading love.

According to estimates from the UCLA Williams Institute, more than 382,000 North Carolinians identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Last year, Chatham County voted to approve LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, becoming the 12th county in the state to do so. The ordinances ensure protections in private employment and places of public accommodations — such as restaurants and businesses — from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Chatham Hospital is honored to outwardly demonstrate our full support and commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Eric Wolak, Chatham Hospital’s chief operating officer, in a statement. “Whether it is our LGBTQIA+ staff, our LGBTQIA+ patients, and/or loved ones of the LGBTQIA+ community, we want all to know that Chatham Hospital welcomes you and supports you.”

Earlier this year, Chatham Hospital and UNC Health Care were awarded for outstanding performance in health equity. Health equity means ensuring every person in every community can get the same high-quality care regardless of individual characteristics, such as ethnicity, gender or geographic location.

UNC Rex Hospital was recognized as an Equality Leader and UNC Hospitals as a Top Performer in the Healthcare Equality Index measuring equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. Chatham Hospital earned a score of 90 out of 100 and was recognized as a 2022 Healthcare Equality Index participant.

Wood said hosting the Pride walk was about continuing those inclusivity efforts and creating a visible show of support.

“Across UNC Health Care, we all celebrate people for who they are, no matter their background, everybody is welcome,” Wood said. “UNC Health Care does an amazing job with diversity, equity and inclusion. They make sure everyone is represented.”

Following the march around the hospital, rainbow-themed refreshments were provided to those who participated. Wood said he believed it was a necessary way to take intentional time out of the work day to be together and show passion for this issue.

Alison Bolin, director of clinical business operations, was one of the participants in Thursday’s Pride walk. She’s worked at Chatham Hospital for 12 years, so seeing the hospital’s first-ever Pride event meant a lot to her.

“It’s important to show we are here for our community, employees and that we really are engaged in diversity and equity activities,” Bolin said. “More and more it’s important to embrace the communities we serve and give people an opportunity to be heard and be seen.”

She said working in healthcare makes equity work especially important because much of the hospital’s role is to care for people who begin as strangers to them. That means creating a space where everyone feels safe and cared for, regardless of their background.

“Our job is to care for anybody that comes through these doors,” Bolin said. “Each person has their individual care needs, our job is to be inclusive of all those aspects of a person’s life.”

Reporter Ben Rappaport can be reached at brappaport@chathamnr.com or on Twitter @b_rappaport.