Cal Poly’s Campus Health and Wellbeing Earns LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader Designation

National recognition from Human Rights Campaign Foundation highlights department’s commitment to inclusive care and student belonging

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Campus Health and Wellbeing (CH&W) has been named an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.

CH&W is the first student health center within the California State University system to receive the designation, which comes after a thorough review of its inclusive policies and practices utilizing HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), among the nation's foremost benchmarking surveys evaluating healthcare facilities for their equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. 

Led by CH&W’s LGBTQIA2S+ committee, the department met rigorous criteria across four core objectives: foundational non-discrimination and staff training; LGBTQ+ patient care services and support; inclusive employee policies and benefits; and active community engagement. 

“This recognition is a testament to our vision of being a trusted resource and a refuge of belonging for every Cal Poly student,” said Tina Hadaway-Mellis, DrPH, who serves as Cal Poly’s assistant vice president for student affairs, health and wellbeing.

Hadaway-Mellis noted that CH&W has made improving the delivery of comprehensive inclusive services, including the development of its gender-affirming care program in 2019, a focal point. 

“This designation further validates our core belief that every student who walks through our doors should feel seen, valued, and supported,” she added.

The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation also directly aligns with the strategic focus and values outlined in CH&W’s 2025-27 Strategic Plan. 

Among the goals outlined in the strategic plan are advancing culturally responsive professional development for staff; strengthening the recruitment, retention and belonging of staff; deepening the department’s outreach with marginalized communities through sustainable campus partnerships; and enhancing CH&W’s inclusive physical and digital environments.

“I’m proud that we are able to earn this designation because it exemplifies our commitment to care at CH&W,” said Kari Mansager, director of wellbeing and health equity. “It does more than represent the quality of the services and programming we offer here; it also demonstrates the deep commitment of the team behind them who show up each day to support students and their colleagues within our campus community.”

For more information about the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation and the HEI scoring criteria, visit the Human Rights Campaign Foundation website. 

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