On International Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the stories, struggles and achievements of the transgender community. Celebrated annually on March 31, this day is more than a moment of acknowledgement; it is a call to action for acceptance, understanding and change.
At LifeBridge Health, we are proud to be part of the journey.
AffirmCare
One year ago today, we opened AffirmCare, a groundbreaking primary care clinic designed specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community. In the 365 days since that ribbon-cutting, Dr. Kjell Wiberg has led our team of specially trained LGBTQIA+ community members and allies in building patient volumes while remaining true to the clinic’s foundational goals:
1. Creating an Empathetic and Welcoming Healthcare Space: With ongoing support from the larger LifeBridge Health system, AffirmCare has created a healthcare environment where empathy and inclusivity are the norms, not the exceptions. “If you have a need for our services, you are so welcome to come,” says Dr. Wiberg, reinforcing our open-door policy. “We are happy to take care of you to the best of our ability.”
2. Removing Barriers for Underrepresented Groups: The AffirmCare team is also bridging critical gaps in healthcare and directly addressing the distinct needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. We hope that patients who have been made to feel awkward, unsupported or even discriminated against in other healthcare settings find respite and support through our providers and their network. Dr. Wiberg explains that his team is actively “building a referral network” of LGBTQIA+-friendly providers to create an inclusive continuum of care. “If you’re transgender, for example, it can be difficult to find an OBGYN for routine checks and screenings that gets it.” We help find them for you.
3. Personalizing Your Healthcare Experience: Our approach to patient care is cutting-edge, focusing on precision medicine. We customize your treatment and prevention plans based on your genetic makeup, environmental factors and lifestyle, ensuring care that is as unique as you are.
“I’ve been doing this work since 2009, but I’m still learning new things every day and incorporating them into what I do,” Dr. Wiberg shares, highlighting the ongoing journey of growth and adaptation in providing care. Though it remains a work in progress, AffirmCare is already more than a healthcare service. From hormone therapy and gender-affirming treatment plans to mental health support and preventive care, AffirmCare ensures that every individual receives the respectful and personalized care they deserve.
Beyond
LifeBridge Health is dedicated to education, advocacy and the continuous improvement of our services to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Beyond AffirmCare’s walls, our team members support our diverse patient and provider communities through:
1. Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA): This data-driven approach ensures that our services evolve in response to our communities’ changing needs.
2. Community Health Sessions: Offering educational programs on health promotion, disease prevention and healthy lifestyle choices empowers our patients to take control of their health.
3. Employee Resource Groups: Creating space for team members from various cultures and communities to engage with their fellow community members, host events and advocate for change in the workplace is vital to expanding diversity and inclusion efforts across the LifeBridge Health system.
4. Professional Development and Training: Investing in our healthcare professionals’ continuous education and training ensures that they remain up to date with the latest evidence-based practices and technologies. In addition to medical practices, LifeBridge Health’s development and training sessions can cover topics like cultural competence and sensitivity, implicit bias, inclusive language and more.
The challenges faced by the transgender community, spanning from historical injustices to current adversities, deeply resonate with our team. Through targeted efforts such as our AffirmCare program and educational initiatives, we aim not only to celebrate the diverse identities within the LGBTQIA+ community but also to foster a world marked by inclusivity and empathy. Today, we reaffirm our pledge to stand with the transgender community.
To learn more about AffirmCare and our specialized services, visit lifebridgehealth.org/affirmcare or call 410-601-2273.