REDUCING HEALTH DISPARITIES FACED BY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS HAS BEEN PART OF JOHNS HOPKINS’ DNA SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1876. IN SUPPORT OF THAT MISSION, JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE ESTABLISHED THE JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR TRANSGENDER HEALTH (JHCTH) AS ONE OF OUR INTERDISCIPLINARY SERVICE LINES. THE CENTER IS ALREADY PROVIDING GENDER AFFIRMING SURGICAL SERVICES TO TRANSGENDER ADULTS. WHEN FULLY OPEN, IT WILL BE ENTERPRISEWIDE AND PROVIDE ALL FACETS OF TRANSGENDER-RELATED CARE FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS.
The Johns Hopkins Center For Transgender Health, Under The Leadership Of Medical Director Devin O’Brien-Coon, Brings Together Expertise From Plastic Surgery, Mental Health, Primary Care, Endocrinology, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Nursing, Social Work And Case Management, Among Other Disciplines, With The Goal Of Improving The Health Of The Transgender Community And Reducing The Health Disparities It Faces.
Paula Neira-nurse, lawyer and former naval officer who is a nationally recognized advocate for LGBTQ equality and the clinical program director for the center-says, “Real people still face real difficulties when seeking care and that’s something we can change. With this new center, we aim to lead by action: to improve the ability for transgender people to get health care, to provide medically needed care and to offer it in a supportive and affirming way.”