Fenway Offers Free LGBT Health Care Webinar

The National LGBT Health Education Center at the Fenway Institute will host a free educational webinar, "Creating Inclusive Health Care Environments for LGBT Patients and Staff," on Wednesday, March 26 from 2-3 p.m. ET.

The webinar will be led by Heidi Holland, M.Ed., program manager at the National LGBT Health Education Center. It is aimed at health care administrators, providers, and all who work in health care settings, students, and others interested in improving health outcomes for members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

"LGBT people, like all population groups, want to receive health care in environments in which they feel welcome, respected, and understood," said Holland. "Unfortunately, because of pervasive bias and misunderstanding, LGBT people have historically had the opposite experience, and sometimes, even well-intentioned medical personnel can create mistrust with inappropriate or uninformed questions."

The webinar will help participants to define key terminology, health disparities, and demographics of the LGBT population; discuss health disparities and other forms of discrimination impacting LGBT people; and describe strategies and model policies for creating an inclusive environment for LGBT patients and employees in health centers and other health care settings.

"This webinar offers critical information and practical tools so that leadership, administration, care providers and support staff can create a setting where LGBT people feel comfortable enough to focus on achieving and maintaining good health, which is exactly where their focus should be at the doctor's office," said Holland.

The National LGBT Health Education Center provides educational programs, resources, and consultation to health care organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, culturally responsive, cost-effective health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

The Education Center is a part of The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, based in Boston, MA, and works with a national network of faculty, advisors, and collaborators representing medical and public health universities, community health centers, and leading government and non-profit organizations.

Participants can register for the webinar here: https://fenwaylgbthealtheducation.webex.com