UK Coalition Aims to Improve Health Care for LGBTQ Community

Concerns about privacy, safety, stigmatization and quality of care often deter members of the LGBTQ community from accessing health care services and resources. Disengagement from the health care system has contributed to many health disparities affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer population.

A new coalition at the University of Kentucky is working to increase LGBTQ health care engagement and provide safe clinical environments for LGBTQ individuals seeking treatment.

Transform Health is a health care home serving LGBTQ patients in the Lexington and UK community. The university-wide initiative comprises UK faculty members and health care providers, including doctors, nurses and counselors, as well community members.

The initiative aims to improve patient care, conduct evidence-based research, market and promote LGBTQ-specific health services, and educate health care providers about customizing care to the distinctive needs of these patients.

“Our objective is to promote health services centered on the unique needs of LGBTQ patients,” said Dr. Keisa Fallin-Bennett, a UK Family & Community Medicine physician and Transform Health task force member.

“Creating inclusive health care settings is not just about providing services. We are building a movement through patient care, provider training and research that aims to improve the climate of health care for LGBTQ individuals in the local community. We want patients to be able to identify a safe and welcoming space for care and be a resource for students and providers.”

Transform Health providers, who are located at multiple UK clinic locations, offer medical treatment and services for the specific medical and psychological needs of LGBTQ patients. These nurses, doctors, counselors, and educators foster inclusive environments while providing medical treatment and services such as preventive care, hormone therapy, counseling and tobacco cessation therapies.

Next steps:

• Transform Health clinics are located at the UK Family & Community Medicine clinic at Turfland. To make an appointment or refer a patient, call 859-323-6371 and ask for a Transform Health Clinic appointment.
• Students who use University Health Service and are seeking a specific hormone therapy through a Transform Health provider should ask for the specific need when making their appointment. To reach UHS, call 859-323-2778.
• Learn more about Transform Health and the UK Office of LGBTQ Resources.