More Than Just Medical Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Folks

As a healthcare center that specializes in the health and wellness of transgender and gender expansive individuals, Evergreen Health is honored to recognize Transgender Awareness Week. Our mission is to provide medical, behavioral and supportive care to individuals in WNY, especially those who have been traditionally underserved by the healthcare system. For too long, transgender individuals have had inadequate healthcare and we are here to change that. We want to highlight some of the ways we strive to enhance services and quality of life for the transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) community.

We recognize that the TGNC community is been disproportionately targeted by discrimination and prejudice. This, all too often, results in acts of unwarranted violence against them. We work to provide services and linkage to resources that uplift the TGNC community.

Evergreen is proud to offer gender affirming services and a safe space for the trans community. From providing our patients with gender inclusive patient intake forms when you make your first appointment to offering services that are uniquely needed for trans folks, we are committed to the health and wellness of transgender and gender nonconforming people.

Our transgender services include, but are not limited to:

• Name and gender marker change assistance
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Linkage to gender-affirming surgeries
• Walk-in and by-appointment sexual health clinic testing for STIs, HIV and hepatitis C
• Medical case management
• Peer services
• Support groups specifically for the TGNC community
• Access to PrEP, a daily pill for HIV prevention
• Sensitive gynecologic /pelvic care
• Clean syringes and injection works

Additionally, we provide our patients with more than just medical care. We have an on-site pharmacy that specializes in HIV medications, PrEP and hormone therapy. Our financial counseling services are a resource for patients who are uninsured or underinsured so they can get the care they need. Care coordinators and case management employees are available to TGNC folks, helping them remove barriers to treatment. We offer supportive housing opportunities, transportation assistance, food pantry, mental health and substance use counseling and support groups. This suite of services ensures that our patients are taken care of.

We are also fortunate to be affiliates with the Pride Center of Western New York, whose Trans Health Initiative makes a tremendous difference to WNY’s transgender community. Additionally, we provide our TNGC patients with linkage to gender affirming surgery providers, fertility centers, counseling and support groups.

Transgender Awareness Week is important to us because we care about the vitality of our community. Working with directly impacted individuals, we are able to offer resources and opportunities to lead healthier lives. These individuals shine so brightly that we want to do everything possible to remove barriers to care. Evergreen is proud to offer inclusive, compassionate and respectful transgender care.