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Transgender Care

As we work to improve our services, we recognize the transgender community has unique needs that cross departments of care. This guide will help you navigate the CHA system and make it easier for you to access any services you need.  CHA is committed to doing our best in terms of LGBTQ+ competency. We are still learning. If you have ideas about how we can improve, please contact us to share your thoughts.

CHA Transgender Services

  • Behavioral Health Services

    Behavioral health services are available through our psychiatric department. Click here to learn more: 

  • Endocrinology for Adults, Adolescents and Children

    Services:

    • Hormone therapy for adults and adolescents who are 18 or older, specialized program for youth
    • Assistance with referrals for surgery – top surgery at CHA; genital or bottom surgery referred to BMC, or to other providers, including out of state, if preferred
    • Help facilitate transition
    • Assistance with referrals
  • Feminizing Hormones

    Feminizing Hormone Therapy Factsheet (English)

    Terapia hormonal feminizante (Portuguese)

    Terapia hormonal feminizante (Spanish)

    Terapi òmònal feminize (Haitian Creole)

    Information on Feminizing Hormone Therapy (English)

    Informações sobre Terapia Hormonal Feminizante (Portuguese)

    Información sobre la Terapia Hormonal Feminizante (Spanish)

    Enfòmasyon sou Terapi òmòn Feminize (Haitian Creole)

  • Feminizing Surgery

    Feminizing Surgery -- What is it and is it right for me? (English)

    Cirurgia feminizante -- O que é e é ideal para mim? (Portuguese)

    Cirugía feminizante -- ¿qué es y es adecuada para mí? (Spanish)

    Operasyon feminize -- Ki sa li ye epi èske li bon pou mwen? (Haitian Creole)

  • Gynecology

    Services:

    • Inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming gynecological care at OBGYN Centers in multiple locations
    • Family Medicine physicians listed in Primary Care provide pelvic health and gynecologic services
  • HIV Prevention and Services

    A supportive and caring designated place for people with HIV infection or those who are at risk for HIV infection.

    • Confidential testing
    • A multidisciplinary approach to care which includes primary care, specialty care, mental health and social services.
    • Prevention, integrated counseling, screenings and referrals
    • Community education and outreach to help people get connected to HIV services
  • Interpreter Services and Written Translation Services

    Please contact your health care team if you need an interpreter to help you communicate effectively when receiving care

    • Trained, professional interpreters available in all languages, free of charge
    • Free written translation services are available in all languages upon request
  • Primary Care and Pediatrics

    Services:

    • Inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming primary care for adults, adolescents and youth
    • Affirmation hormone therapy for adolescents and adults currently available with Dr. Benbasset-Miller at CHA Windsor Care Center and at the Malden Gender Affirming Clinic
    • Consultations and short-term therapy with LGBTQ+ affirming psychotherapists, with referral for longer-term therapy services where necessary
    • Inclusive reproductive health counseling and care at CHA locations
    • Pediatric affirming care is available with Dr. Traci Brooks at CHA Cambridge Pediatrics

    More Information:

    • Family Medicine residency curriculum includes a section on transgender care
    • Family Medicine transgender care concentration is in development
    • Focus on continually improving every patient’s experience of care
  • Speciality Services -- Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Oncology, Psychiatry and more

    For specialty care, please search the CHA provider directory to find providers with the LGBTQ+ Health tag

  • Surgeries

    Services:

    • Bilateral mastectomies (top surgery)
    • Breast implants/augmentation
    • Facial reconstruction
  • Zinberg Clinic

    The Zinberg Clinic is a dedicated care center that uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide adult primary and specialty care for certain medical conditions such as HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.

Informational Material

Find An LGBTQ+ Health Provider

While all providers can give you care, why not find a person who understands your health care needs? CHA providers with the LGBTQ+ Health tag are people who either have lived experience or a history of caring for LGBTQ+ communities.

Call our Doctor Finder phone number to get connected today – 617-665-1305.

Search for an LGBTQ+ Health Provider

Other Programs and Services

CHA Residents

Training future providers to be inclusive and gender affirming in their care.

  • Current CHA residents are members of the Gender Sexuality Consultation team, the Diversity Coalition and the Social Justice Coalition
  • Specialized transgender training programs included in our Family Medicine Residency program

LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equity Committee

Working intrenally, the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equity Committee acts as an ally and advocate for trans and gender diverse CHA patients. The group provides a platform for systemic change within CHA to better serve this patient population.

  • Improve the patient experience of care for trans and gender diverse (TGD) patients: as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer patients.
  • Be a resource for the CHA community regarding LGBTQ+ health.
  • Be an incubator for new ideas and best practices.
  • Support and collaborate on partner-led LGBTQ+ initiatives pertaining to patients.
  • Create a space for providers and staff to share knowledge and find resources.
  • Increase LGBTQ+ awareness and expand CHA's culture.

Diversity Council

Working internally, the Diversity Council focuses on equity issues. Some examples of their work include:

  • Health Equity Index (HEI) and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) accreditation
  • Inclusion efforts for patients and staff
  • PRIDE Month Events
  • Employee training regarding gender inclusivity, respect and empathy in the workplace
  • Support for transitioning employees
  • Restroom signage

Additional Resources

CHA Family Medicine provider, Rebekah Rollston, MD created this brief that addresses cervical cancer screening for trans men. This is an effort to improve care with a policy approach.

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