The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has named the UC Davis Medical Center a “leader in LGBT health care equality” for the third year running.

The HRC, the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization, named a record 464 facilities and institutions to its 2013 list, or 74 percent of those that participated in its report.

To be included, they must have met criteria that include non-discrimination policies for LGBT patients and employees, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents and staff training in LGBT patient-centered care.

Others in California named to the list included Kaiser Permanente,  the UC San Francisco Medical Center and the UC San Diego and UCLA health systems.

“Establishing and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment for our patients, their families and our employees has always been a top priority for us,” said Ann Madden Rice, chief executive officer for the UCD Medical Center, in a news release.

“It is an honor to be recognized again for our commitment to health care equality. It’s an indication of how determined we are as an organization to truly reflect the communities we serve.”

The UCD Health System last month became the first academic health system in the country to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the demographic questions asked of patients, in an effort to improve care for LGBT patients.

UCD is also compiling a list of doctors who self-identified as “LGBT welcoming,” a list the health system plans to post later this summer.

Said HRC Health and Aging Director Shane Snowdon, “It makes a big difference to know that your local health care facility is fully committed to giving you the same care it gives your neighbors and co-workers.”

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