NYC Health + Hospitals Creates 'Transgender Health Care Resource Guide' for Patients and Staff
Handbook provides resources to support transgender, gender non-conforming, and
non-binary people in finding gender-affirming care at NYC Health + Hospitals
and other community resources
In 2011, NYC Health + Hospitals was the first U.S. public
health care system to mandate LGBTQ training for all staff members
Nov 19, 2021
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced a new Transgender Health Care Resource Guide to help patients, their families, and allies find gender affirming and supportive services across New York City. The directory features services offered at various NYC Health + Hospitals locations, including the system’s six Pride Health Centers and the Gender Affirming Integrated Services Practice at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. It also includes extensive community resources, which might be closer or more appropriate for patients. The guide seeks to address and reduce the barriers that transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) people experience in accessing affirming health care. All NYC Health + Hospitals facilities deliver high-quality health services with compassion, dignity, and respect to all, regardless of income, gender identity, or immigration status.
“Every person who seeks health care deserves to be affirmed, respected and understood,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Matilde Roman, Esq. “These resources will help providers offer access to gender-affirming and transgender-inclusive services to meet the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming people in need of care.”
The Transgender Health Care Resource Guide is the first of its kind for the health care system and its release coincides with Transgender Awareness Week (November 13 to 19), which culminates on Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20).
For many TGNCNB individuals, access to gender-affirming health care is a crucial and life-saving resource that can improve mental health and overall well-being. Despite the importance of these services, it can be incredibly challenging to find information and access to gender-affirming health care. This guide provides comprehensive information about gender affirming services like hormones, top surgery, and bottom surgery to help patients, health care staff, and allies provide more effective referrals and connections to care. The guide also includes other affirming resources, such as for mental health services and changing identity documents, because transitioning can involve more than just medical care and not all TGNCNB people pursue gender affirming health care.
NYC Health + Hospitals provides the following services to the TGNCNB community:
- Hormones
- Gender affirming surgeries, such as top surgery (augmentation and mastectomy), tracheal cartilage shave, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy
- Puberty blockers
- Primary care for adults, adolescents, and youth
- OG/GYN
- HIV & STI services
- Mental Health
The guide also includes a list of outside providers for these services, as well as many other services, such as voice therapy and modification, electrolysis, substance use, older adult, youth services, and more.
The NYC Health + Hospitals’ Office of Diversity and Inclusion provides system-wide support for diversity and inclusion initiatives that embed effective diversity and inclusion practices into day-to-day operations, processes, and employee development. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion also provides support to direct care providers and front-line staff in the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Our services support system-wide efforts that increase patient experience and satisfaction, enhance patient and family engagement, and improve patient safety.
NYC Health + Hospitals was the first U.S. public health care system to mandate LGBTQ training for all staff members in 2011. In 2020, twenty-three NYC Health + Hospitals facilities earned the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s designation, “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” for the fifth consecutive year. To earn this, facilities must train staff in LGBTQ health care and have LGBTQ-responsive policies and practices for patients and staff.
NYC Health + Hospitals’ Pride Health Centers are:
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
462 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016 - NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Gouverneur
227 Madison St., New York, NY 10002 - NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Judson
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
1901 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10029 - NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
760 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Patients can make an appointment at any of the public health system’s Pride Health Center by calling 844-NYC-4NYC.