By: Odrin Castillo, DO, primary care, MemorialCare Family Medicine Residency – Long Beach
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet for many transgender and non-binary individuals, the healthcare system remains a complex and often discouraging space. The very act of seeking medical care, which should be a supportive and affirming experience, can instead feel unsafe due to widespread discrimination, ignorance, and financial barriers. For individuals within these communities, navigating healthcare often means confronting a system that is not only ill-equipped to meet their unique needs but sometimes hostile to their very identities.
One of the most significant issues faced by transgender and non-binary individuals is the discrimination they encounter within healthcare settings. Instances of disrespect, misgendering, and even outright denial of care are unfortunately common. These negative experiences create a pervasive fear of the healthcare system, leading many in the transgender and non-binary community to avoid seeking necessary medical treatment altogether. This avoidance exacerbates existing health disparities, as untreated conditions and the lack of preventive care can lead to more severe health outcomes over time.
In the face of these challenges, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center’s Family Residency Program is making significant strides in addressing the healthcare needs of the transgender and non-binary community. The program’s Transgender Clinic stands as a beacon of hope for individuals who have long struggled to find affirming and comprehensive care. Offering a wide range of services including primary care, preventive care, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and medical screenings, the clinic is designed to address both the physical and emotional well-being of transgender individuals.
What sets the Transgender Clinic apart is its commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all patients. The clinic recognizes the importance of affirming gender identity and expression, ensuring that patients feel respected and valued throughout their healthcare journey. From the moment a patient walks through the door, they are greeted with gender-neutral forms and culturally sensitive staff who have been trained to use correct pronouns and provide care in an affirming and nonjudgmental manner. This attention to detail helps foster an environment of trust.
On their first visit to the clinic, patients are scheduled for an hour-long appointment with a physician trained in transgender medicine. This initial visit is designed to be a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s health needs and goals, including a discussion of their gender journey, prior hormone treatments, and any future aspirations they may have regarding their gender expression.
Following the assessment, the physician offers a variety of services that may be relevant to the patient’s healthcare needs. This can include referrals for gender-affirming surgeries, mental health services, and even voice coaching to help patients feel more aligned with their gender identity.
Furthermore, the clinic’s focus on inclusivity extends beyond the patient-provider interaction. Recognizing that many transgender and non-binary individuals face discrimination not just in healthcare but in other areas of their lives, the clinic seeks to serve as a resource and support system for patients who may be struggling with other social determinants of health, such as housing insecurity, employment discrimination, or a lack of social support.
Through its commitment to inclusivity, its comprehensive range of services, and its dedication to addressing the social determinants of health, the Transgender Clinic at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is playing a vital role in building a healthier and more accepting community. By offering affirming care in a safe and supportive environment, the clinic is helping to bridge the gap in healthcare access for transgender and non-binary individuals and empowering patients to take control of their health with confidence.
In a world where discrimination and ignorance too often define the healthcare experience for transgender individuals, the Transgender Clinic stands as a model of what inclusive and affirming care can look like. It offers hope not just for the patients it serves, but for the future of healthcare as a whole—a future where everyone, regardless of their gender identity, can access the care they need and deserve.
To learn more, visit memorialcare.org/familyresidency.