Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital is the first in the state to be designated as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or LGBT, friendly by the Human Rights Campaign, the Star Press reported.

The HRC's annual Healthcare Equality Index for 2012 examines how health care facilities across the country treat lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and employees.

IU Health BMH was recognized as a leader in LGBT health care equality, meeting all four core policy categories -- patient non-discrimination; employment non-discrimination; equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents; and training in LGBT patient-centered care.

"We are proud of the recognition," IU Health BMH President and CEO Mike Haley told the newspaper. "It's the result of a lot of hard work."

The work began two years ago, after a transgender patient claimed she was called "it" and "he-she" before being denied treatment at the hospital's emergency room.

The incident gained national attention, with the hospital facing criticism nationwide.

In the years since, the hospital has developed new policies and training for staff members, which Haley said will be used across IU Health.