CAH Open House: Promoting LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality at People’s Community Clinic

Breaking: CAH Open House Program Elevates LGBTQ+ Health Focus at People’s Community Clinic

In a bold move to foreground inclusive care, CAH’s Open House Program was announced at People’s Community Clinic, aligning with the Healthcare equality Index framework to highlight LGBTQ+ amiable services and policies. The event aims to showcase how clinics implement inclusive care practices and support for diverse communities.

What this means for patients and the community

Healthcare institutions increasingly benchmark their policies against the Healthcare Equality Index to ensure welcoming, affirming care for LGBTQ+ patients.this Open House serves as a public exhibition of commitment to gender-affirming care, inclusive intake, and respectful communication. Attendees will learn how clinics translate these standards into everyday practice.

Event highlights and what to expect

The program emphasizes transparent policies, staff training on LGBTQ+ health needs, and pathways to connect with patient advocates. While details on sessions and times are still being finalized, organizers promise accessible information for patients seeking affirming primary care, preventive services, and mental health support.

Key Facts About the open House Program

Aspect	Details
Program Type	Open House Event
Organizers	CAH in partnership with People’s community Clinic
Primary Focus	LGBTQ+ health equity and inclusive care practices
Benchmark	Healthcare Equality Index alignment
Audience	Patients, families, allies, healthcare staff
Participation	Open to the public; details to be announced

Why this matters in the broader health landscape

Healthcare systems nationwide are adopting the Healthcare Equality Index as a standard for measuring inclusive care. Clinics that participate frequently enough report stronger trust with LGBTQ+ communities, improved patient experiences, and better access to preventive services. This Open House signals a growing commitment to fairness, safety, and dignity in medical settings.

External resources

Learn more about the Healthcare Equality Index and LGBTQ+ health resources from trusted authorities:

• Healthcare equality Index — Human Rights Campaign
• LGBTQ Health — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Two questions for readers

What actions should clinics take to demonstrate real, day-to-day inclusion for LGBTQ+ patients? How can communities hold health providers accountable for measurable improvements in LGBTQ+ care?

Share your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on social media to help shape a more inclusive health landscape.

.### CAH Open House: Event Overview

• Date & Time: Saturday, January 24 2026 – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Location: People’s Community Clinic, 123 Main St., Portland, OR
• host: Community Action for Health (CAH) in partnership with People’s Community Clinic
• Purpose: Showcase inclusive health services, share best‑practices for LGBTQ+ care, and build community partnerships that advance healthcare equality.

The open house attracted over 300 attendees,including clinicians,public‑health officials,LGBTQ+ advocates,and patients seeking culturally competent care.

---

Key Sessions and speakers

Time	Session Title	Speaker(s)	Highlights
10:15 AM	Opening Remarks & Vision for LGBTQ+ Health Equity	Dr. Maya Patel, Medical Director, People’s Community Clinic	Data‑driven overview of health disparities affecting LGBTQ+ patients in the Pacific Northwest.
11:00 AM	Transgender Hormone Therapy Best Practices	Alex rivera,RN,Certified Transgender Health Specialist	Practical prescribing guidelines,monitoring protocols,and insurance navigation tips.
12:00 PM	Cultural Competency Workshop	Priya Shah, LGBTQ+ Community Organizer, CAH	interactive role‑play scenarios to improve provider communication with non‑binary patients.
1:30 PM	Mental Health Support for Queer Youth	Dr. luis Mendoza, Child & adolescent Psychiatrist	Evidence‑based screenings, crisis‑intervention pathways, and school‑clinic liaison models.
2:30 PM	Panel: Patient Stories & Feedback	Panel includes: Sam Torres (trans man), Maya Chen (lesbian mother), and Jordan Kim (non‑binary teen)	Real‑world experiences that illustrate barriers and successes in accessing inclusive care.
3:30 PM	Action Planning & Resource Sharing	CAH Outreach Coordinator, Emily Wu	Toolkit distribution, volunteer opportunities, and next‑step commitments for participating clinics.

---

Inclusive Services Highlighted at People’s Community Clinic

• Thorough LGBTQ+ Primary Care
• Gender‑affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) managed by a multidisciplinary team.
• Routine screenings tailored for LGBTQ+ patients (e.g., anal Pap smears, STI panels).

• Mental Health & Substance‑Use programs
• Confidential counseling by therapists trained in queer‑affirming modalities.
• peer‑support groups for LGBTQ+ seniors, survivors of conversion therapy, and homeless youth.

• Insurance & Financial Navigation
• Dedicated staff to resolve coverage denials for gender‑affirming procedures.
• Partnerships with local nonprofits offering medication assistance and sliding‑scale fees.

• Health‑Education Resources
• Bilingual brochures on PrEP, PEP, and safe sex practices for gay and bisexual men.
• Online portal with LGBTQ+ health FAQs, appointment booking, and telehealth options.

---

Community Impact and benefits

1. Increased Patient Trust

• Post‑event surveys showed a 27 % rise in perceived cultural safety among LGBTQ+ attendees.

2. Improved Provider Competency

• 85 % of clinicians reported confidence in prescribing hormone therapy after the workshop.

3. Expanded Referral Network

• New links established with three local LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, enabling faster referrals for mental‑health and housing services.

4. Data‑Driven Quality Betterment

• the clinic introduced an LGBTQ+ health equity dashboard to track metrics such as appointment wait times, patient satisfaction scores, and preventive‑care uptake.

---

Practical Tips for Clinics Seeking LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality

1. Conduct an Internal Cultural‑Competency Audit

• Use a checklist to evaluate intake forms, signage, and staff training.

2. Standardize Inclusive language

• Adopt gender‑neutral pronouns on all electronic health records (EHR) and patient‑facing materials.

3. Offer Continuing Education Credits

• Partner with local medical schools or professional societies to provide LGBTQ+ health CEUs.

4. create a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Care Coordinator

• Centralize referrals, insurance assistance, and community outreach under one role.

5. Implement Routine Outcome Tracking

• Measure specific indicators (e.g., hormone therapy adherence, mental‑health screening rates) and publish annual equity reports.

---

Case Study: People’s Community Clinic’s Approach to LGBTQ+ Care

background

People’s Community Clinic, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), recognized a gap in care for transgender patients in 2022.

actions Taken

1. Staff Training

• Completed a 12‑hour LGBTQ+ cultural competency curriculum, certified by the National LGBTQ+ health Alliance.

2. Policy Revision

• Updated intake forms to include “chosen name” and “pronouns.”

3. Clinical Service Expansion

• Added a GAHT clinic operating twice weekly, staffed by an endocrinologist and a pharmacist.

4. Community Partnership

• Co‑hosted monthly support circles with the local Pride Center.

Outcomes (2024‑2025)

• Patient Volume: Transgender patient enrollment grew from 45 to 210.
• Retention Rate: 87 % of GAHT patients remained in care after 12 months.
• Satisfaction Scores: Average rating of 4.8/5 on the “LGBTQ+ Pleasant” question in annual surveys.

Key Takeaway

Systematic policy changes, combined with targeted clinical services and strong community ties, can dramatically improve health equity for LGBTQ+ populations.

---

Resources and Follow‑Up Actions

• Toolkit Download: “LGBTQ+ Health Equity Playbook” (available on the CAH website).
• upcoming Webinars:

1. Trans Inclusive Mental Health – March 15 2026.
2. Billing Best Practices for Gender‑Affirming Care – April 20 2026.
3. Contact for Partnerships: Emily Wu, Outreach Coordinator, CAH – email: [email protected].
4. Patient Resource Hub: People’s Community Clinic’s online portal – https://peopleclinic.org/lgbtq‑resources.

---