INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana University School of Medicine is hosting its fourth annual LGBTQ Health Care Conference, aimed at helping providers and community members better understand the unique health considerations and barriers to care those in the LGBTQ population often experience.
Attendance at the two-day virtual event is open to anyone, including doctors, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers, medical students, patients, family members and more.
Those who attend will learn how to provide respectful, patient-centered, culturally competent health care and how to better support LGBTQ patients. They will also learn about new research and innovation happening in the field of LGBTQ care through speaking engagements, poster sessions and more.
The conference has grown significantly since it was first held in 2017, with over 500 people expected to attend this year. It is a unique opportunity for health care providers and community members not only in Indiana, but nationwide. According to Jay L. Hess, MD, PhD, MHSA, IU School of Medicine dean and executive vice president for University Clinical Affairs, the event also showcases the school’s leadership in this area, and offers a wide-range of topics for attendees.
“IU School of Medicine is one of the only medical schools in the country to offer such an in depth and comprehensive conference,” said Hess. “We are committed to being a leader in training students, staff and health care providers to provide the best possible care for this vulnerable patient population.”
“Some of the LGBTQ+ patient population experience being marginalized in health care. While some of this is due to discrimination by providers, often it is a consequence of lack of knowledge, training and research,” said Alvaro Tori, MD, associate dean for diversity affairs at IU School of Medicine. “It is our responsibility as a medical school to lead the way in providing high-quality, equity-minded care and listening to the LGBTQ+ community. We will continue strengthening our collaboration with community partners for the benefit of our patient population.”
The virtual conference will be held March 25 and 26. It is free for medical students and trainees and tickets at an affordable cost are available to the public. Topics include supporting gender diverse youth, community advocacy, supporting families of gender diverse people, inclusive sexual health practices, identity development, spiritual care, gender-affirming surgery topics, intersex health and more.
IU School of Medicine faculty members, along with community members, politicians and social workers from across the country, are slated to present. Keynote speakers include Kali Denise Cyrus, MD, MPH, Indiana State Senator J.D. Ford, Kate Bornstein and Alex Keuroghlian, MD, MPH. Biography information for all speakers as well as more information about the agenda for the conference are available on our website.
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IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability.