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Title: VA's first transgender clinic opens in Cleveland
Source:
Clevland.com
URL Source: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/inde ... irst_transgender_clinic_o.html
Published: Nov 13, 2015
Author: Brian Albrecht, The Plain Dealer
Post Date: 2015-11-13 10:23:39 by Willie Green
Keywords: None
Views: 3107
Comments: 27
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The first clinic for transgender patients in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system opened today at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The clinic will handle an initial enrollment of 20 transgender veterans, ages 21 to 75, on a half-day (Thursdays) each month, and is headed Dr. Megan McNamara, who started working two years ago with this patient population. McNamara, who trained as a primary care and women's health doctor, is the clinical lead physician. She leads a team of other VA staffers including a nurse, psychologist and social worker, who will add the clinic to their usual duties at the medical center, at 10701 East Blvd. "It felt like a good fit for me, professionally, and I felt that a lot of patients could use this service," McNamara said. According to McNamara, studies have shown that the number of transgender veterans seeking services at the VA is five times higher than transgender prevalence in the non-veteran population. About 15,000 transgender service personnel are believed to be serving on active duty. "The numbers are sort of all over the place, especially among the veteran population because it has never been safe to say (that you're a transgendered person) until now, with the military ban (on such admissions)," McNamara added. Generally, transgender describes someone who feels that their gender identity is different from their outside appearance, McNamara said. Medical care for transgender patients can differ from usual procedures when hormone therapy is being used to effect a physical change in appearance more suited to a patient's perceived gender identity, she noted. That therapy can involve different hormone formulations and strengths, possibly affecting a patient's health in such areas as bone density and clotting risk, McNamara said. The VA has provided a directive on providing care to transgender patients, and other tutorial programs for physicians, since 2011, according to McNamara. Though there are clinics for transgender patients in the civilian population – the MetroHealth System has its Pride Clinic serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community – McNamara said, "as far as we know, this is the first dedicated transgender clinic" in the VA medical system. "I feel there are a lot of transgender patients in the veteran population who haven't been able to find the care they need," she added. "I really want to be able to provide comprehensive, one-stop care for those patients in a welcoming environment . . . a place where they're comfortable and accepted." She also hoped that as the clinic expands its number of patients and service days, it would be able to set up support groups, mentoring and community outreach programs for transgender veterans. "I think the VA is really committed to doing this," McNamara said. "It may be out of step with their historical approach (to patient services) but I don't think it's half-hearted at all." Susan Fuehrer, medical center director, said, "We pride ourselves on treating veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve. Opening this transgender clinic allows us to continue to provide compassionate care in a space dedicated specifically to transgender veterans." Two big fans of the concept are current transgender clinic patients and Air Force veterans Giovonni Santiago, 29, of Akron, and Danielle Keller, 66, of Parma Heights. "Oftentimes if I'd go in the private sector, I'd run into problems with doctors who are not informed how to treat (transgender patients), or knowledgeable of transgender issues," Keller said. "So you'd have to search for somebody who is knowledgeable. It's not always successful and sometimes it's painful to do such a thing because the rejection is not fun to deal with," Keller added. "Knowing that we can come to a place that is familiar with our issues helps a lot." Santiago was "elated and excited" about the opening of the clinic that was a concept he had discussed with McNamara when he became her first transgender patient two years ago. "It's just very, very relieving to see that the VA is dedicated to this, and see all the faith put in Dr. McNamara," Santiago added. The veteran hopes to act as a patient liaison for the clinic and help other transgender veterans to make use of its services. Santiago said he'd tell those vets that the clinic is "worthwhile, a fabulous unit ... they're efficient and they're welcoming. Take a deep breath and come on in because the way has been paved." Both hoped the clinic here could set an example for other VA medical facilities to follow. "I think there's a need," Keller said. "If we could be the starting point and others would follow suit, that would be terrific." (Transgender veterans can contact the clinic at 216-791-3800, extension 3647.) Poster Comment: Don't Ask -- Don't Tell
Dr. Megan McNamara and two patients of the new clinic for transgender veterans talk about this effort at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Giovonni Santiago, left, and Danielle Keller, talk about the opening of the transgender clinic at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. (Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)
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#1. To: Willie Green, sneakypete, GarySpFc, Don, BobCeleste, Nolu Chan, *Military or Vets Affairs* (#0)
Don't ask don't tell was repealed three years ago Willie. No wonder the VA is broken and can't meet the serious health needs of Veterans. They spend money on a transgender clinic when they should have used the funds on another cancer or cardiac clinic. You know the real needs of aging Vets. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"---Isaiah 55:6
They spend money on a transgender clinic when they should have used the funds on another cancer or cardiac clinic. You know the real needs of aging Vets. The last time I was in the VA hospital in Washington it seemed that one third of the doctors had the first name of Mohammed. The place was loaded with medical personnel who could barely speak English.
The GOP imports them with H-1B visas to help lower medical costs.
I guess it depends on the region. Where I live their is a large retired military population. So we have a good number of retired military doctors working for the VA. Below the level of MD you may need to be bilingual:) "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"---Isaiah 55:6
Where are the getting trained? From a crash course in medicine at a Holiday INN in Afghanistan?
I would suspect Pakistan, India or Indonesia...
Kinda makes you wonder 2 things. How many of them are suffering from PTSD and are "thinking" they are transgender when they aren't. And how many are "claiming to be" transgender cause they can't get an appointment for being straight and actually having issues???
Vegetarians eat vegetables. Beware of humanitarians!
They spend money on a transgender clinic when they should have used the funds on another cancer or cardiac clinic. You know the real needs of aging Vets. This appears to be just a clinic set up within an existing large VA medical Center. I suppose many regular VA physicians lack experience to deal some of the special concerns of the transgender community. They need someplace to send them.
I hope this country returns to the place where boys remain boys and girls remain girls instead of surgically switching back and forth on alternate months.
Most of the ones who are confused as to who/what they are were spawned by flower children or are dopers... Vegetarians eat vegetables. Beware of humanitarians!
There is always Tricare?
Psalm 37
Most of the ones who are confused as to who/what they are were spawned by flower children or are dopers. I won't argue with that. The absence of intelligent role modeling in the country has been ruinous. I wouldn't want to be what is represented as men or what is represented as women.
Oh what planet in what solar system would that be true? Is this VA doctor actually making the claim that vets have 5 times as many psychological and emotional problems than non-vets? Just WTF does she think it is that attracts transgender Americans to enlist? Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
And just like the PTSD clinics,you just KNOW they are empire building for job security,and the number of vets they find to be "troubled and deserving of 100 percent disability because of the trauma they suffered as trannies in uniform". The perpetually unemployed and high will be standing in line to claim they are trannies so they can get the checks. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
I think that is only for "Tri-Sexuals",who represent the next wave of new VA patients.(G) Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
Usually the VA handles the very poor Vets and Vets with documented service connected disabilities. Wonder how transsexual enters into the care formula?
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"---Isaiah 55:6
Nah the Village People are just ambiguously homosexual.
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near"---Isaiah 55:6
I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
Psalm 37
It is just Obama doing his best to degrade America as much as possible.
Psalm 37
Free HealthCare... Oh almost forgot they get a "participation trophy" too... Vegetarians eat vegetables. Beware of humanitarians!
Ok,ya got me on that one. LOTS of sailors have always been more than a little light in the loafers. I think it was Kipling that wrote "The Royal Navy runs on rum and sodomy." Still,there is a difference in homosexuals and transgenders. Homosexuals want to have sex with others of the same gender. Transsexuals want to hump themselves. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
The vet left the service however long ago and later decided "I want to be like Bruce!" He, now she, still qualifies for VA care.
Only for those who qualify, generally speaking active duty, retirees, and their dependents. VA covers a whole of people not covered by TRICARE.
Is that a dude who transgenders to a lesbian?
Is that a dude who transgenders to a lesbian? I have heard it defined as someone who will try anything sexual. Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012) American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#2. To: redleghunter (#1)
No wonder the VA is broken and can't meet the serious health needs of Veterans.
#3. To: rlk (#2)
#4. To: rlk (#2)
The last time I was in the VA hospital in Washington it seemed that one third of the doctors had the first name of Mohammed. The place was loaded with medical personnel who could barely speak English.
#5. To: Willie Green (#3)
The GOP imports them with H-1B visas to help lower medical costs.
#6. To: rlk (#5)
#7. To: All (#0)
#8. To: redleghunter (#1)
No wonder the VA is broken and can't meet the serious health needs of Veterans.
#9. To: CZ82 (#7)
#10. To: rlk (#9)
I hope this country returns to the place where boys remain boys and girls remain girls instead of surgically switching back and forth on alternate months.
#11. To: nolu chan (#8)
#12. To: CZ82 (#10)
I hope this country returns to the place where boys remain boys and girls remain girls instead of surgically switching back and forth on alternate months.
#13. To: Willie Green (#0)
According to McNamara, studies have shown that the number of transgender veterans seeking services at the VA is five times higher than transgender prevalence in the non-veteran population.
#14. To: redleghunter (#1)
They spend money on a transgender clinic
#15. To: Don (#11)
There is always Tricare?
#16. To: nolu chan (#8)
#17. To: sneakypete (#13)
Just WTF does she think it is that attracts transgender Americans to enlist?
#18. To: Willie Green (#17)
#19. To: sneakypete (#15)
#20. To: redleghunter (#16)
#21. To: sneakypete (#13)
(Edited)
Just WTF does she think it is that attracts transgender Americans to enlist?
#22. To: Willie Green (#17)
#23. To: redleghunter (#16)
Wonder how transsexual enters into the care formula?
#24. To: Don (#11)
There is always Tricare?
#25. To: sneakypete (#15)
"Tri-Sexuals"
#26. To: nolu chan (#25)
"Tri-Sexuals"
#27. To: sneakypete (#22)
Homosexuals want to have sex with others of the same gender. Transsexuals want to hump themselves.
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