The first event of the series is “Let’s Talk,” a virtual discussion on Thursday, February 1st, from noon to 1:30 p.m. (CST)
Recently, Edgewater Health received a funding opportunity from The I-HOPE initiative on behalf of Purdue University’s Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering. The use of the funding provided an opportunity to address health-related disparities in mental health, as well as advance health equity among populations historically underserved in Lake County. Addressing stigma, safety, and barriers of care for the LGBTQ2IA+ community has been one of Edgewater’s focuses.
“Cultivating an environment that provides trusted spaces for patients, clients, staff, and the community at large is the goal of Edgewater,” said LaTanya Woodson, the Director of Community Health Education at Edgewater Health.
In February 2023, the clinical and non-clinical staff at Edgewater received competency of care training for the LGBTQ2IA+ community from representatives of Mosaic Health and Healing Arts, located in Goshen, Indiana. Mosaic Health is a full-scope family medicine facility that extends a welcoming space to transgender, gender non-binary, and individuals questioning their gender identity, building trust with them to best serve their health needs. This training provided the catalyst for programming and resources that Edgewater Health seeks to provide through community partnerships.
Dr. Danita Johnson, President and CEO of Edgewater Health stated, “Unfortunately, the LGBTQ2IA+ population experience worse health outcomes than heterosexual counterparts due to lack of access and culturally competent care. Identifying individuals and their families who live in marginalized communities face increased gender discrimination and multiple health problems with limited options. We will continue to train our staff and take the lead in cultural competency of care that addresses barriers of health care for everyone.”
“Receiving the grant from Purdue University has allowed community agencies to partner with Edgewater Health and join forces to bring this initiative to fruition,” added Woodson.
The core agencies to launch Addressing Stigma, Safety, & Support of the LGBTQ2IA+ Community series include Edgewater Health, Purdue University, WDS, Aliveness Project of NWI, MDWise, Genoa Healthcare, and the Northwest Indiana Health Disparities.
“We are grateful to Purdue University’s Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering Department for granting Edgewater Health the funding to launch a series of events that serves to educate the community about the stigmas and discrimination against the LGBTQ2IA+ community,” said Woodson.
The first event of the series is “Let’s Talk,” a virtual discussion on Thursday, February 1st, from noon to 1:30 p.m. (CST), that addresses the barriers of navigating through the health care system for transgender and identifying individuals.
The panelists for the discussion are Dr. Dewnzar Howard, Medical Director of Psychiatry, Edgewater Health, Dr. Carlos Mahaffey, Assistant Professor of Public Health, Purdue University, and Tammy Morris, Executive Director, of Aliveness Project of NWI. Denise C. Dillard, the Chief Community Advocate of Northwest Indiana Health Disparities will serve as the moderator. The featured speaker is Marissa Miller, the Founder of TransSolutions, LLC., and a recognized advocate for human rights, social justice, health equity, and LGBTQ2IA+ equality. TransSolutions, LLC is designed to create a Global Culture of safety for the transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming communities through policy, safety networks, web-developed concepts, certifications, and devices.
Save the date for upcoming event:
Edgewater Health’s annual “Back On Track” Health & Education Fair
Saturday, March 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
St. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Avenue, Gary, Indiana.
More information regarding the Affirmative Healthcare and Report Out which closes out the series will be announced at a later date.
If you are interested in being a part of “Let’s Talk’ virtual forum, “Back On Track Health & Education Fair, or Affirmative Healthcare and Report Out; please email LaTanya Woodson, at [email protected] to register and for further details.
About Edgewater Health
Edgewater Health celebrates 50 years of healthcare excellence in 2024. Originated in 1974 as the Gary Community Mental Health Center, Edgewater Health is Northwest Indiana’s full-service partner for culturally competent, high-quality primary care and behavioral health services. Our approach to caring for the whole person begins with health screenings and assessments and extends to integrated and specialized care including addiction and opioid treatment, inpatient, outpatient, and adult residential services in 10 locations. 50 years since our inception, Edgewater Health established the first crisis stabilization center in the State of Indiana (2015); achieved Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike status under HRSA (2019); opened a clinic in Cedar Lake to focus on women’s health (2022), and a clinic in Merrillville (2023) focused on family health. In 2023, Edgewater Health became the community backbone organization for My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Lake County, IN, to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color. MBK is part of the national MBK Alliance, a nationwide, non-partisan initiative of the Obama Foundation. Edgewater Health participates in the VA’s Substance Treatment and Recovery (STAR) model for active duty and veteran service members. Edgewater Health is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Visit us at edgewaterhealth.org.
