This week all four UW Medicine hospitals are flying rainbow flags to honor the people who were killed in the shooting at an Orlando, Florida LGBT nightclub yesterday.
The rainbow flag is recognized as a symbol of respect, tolerance and acceptance around the world.
“The tragic and senseless killings in Orlando are deplorable,” said Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine. “I share the grief that all are feeling about this horrific event and the loss of treasured lives. I extend my deepest condolences to the LGBT community targeted in the massacre. As a UW Medicine community, we are steadfast in our commitment to improving the health of all people. And as a community, I ask that we work together, remembering this tragedy, on behalf of building unity, acceptance, inclusion and tolerance rather than division and intolerance. Together, we can and must work to prevent such violence and such hatred from occurring in the future.”
“Our hearts are deeply saddened for the individuals who lost their lives and the families and friends who lost loved ones in the shooting yesterday,” said Cindy Hecker, interim chief health system officer for UW Medicine. “We stand with and support our LGBT patients, staff, family, and friends. Through the work of our LGBT Clinical Care Advisory Committee we hope to foster pride, equity, and respect within our health system and contribute to further progress for the local LGBT community.”
The four UW Medicine hospitals are Harborview Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Valley Medical Center and UW Medical Center. All four hospitals were recently recognized as 2016 Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.
