FIU College of Medicine educates students on LGBTQ+ healthcare

By Nelida Insua-Coelho

The Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University is one out of only four public medical school programs offered in the state.

The mission of the HWCOM bases off “the ongoing debate that surrounds the health care challenges in the United States… In the United States, there is a great need for the next generation of physicians to be socially conscious, community based, and expertly trained,” stated Dr. John A. Rock, founding dean of HWCOM and senior vice president for health affairs on the medical school website.

“We incorporate teaching of sex, gender, sexuality, reproductive health throughout all years of training at HWCOM. We start by teaching students about the differences between sex and gender, and why these distinctions are relevant to health and medical care,” said Dr. Sarah Stumbar, clerkship director for family medicine and assistant professor at HWCOM.

Stumbar emphasized the importance of realizing that LGBTQ+ health includes much more that just the management of sexually transmitted infections. People who identify as part of this community also experience health disparities in terms of chronic diseases, preventative screenings, mental health and substance use/misuse.

“In the second year, we then move on to the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health and how to take an inclusive sexual history. In the clinical years, students receive further training on the nuances of their skills in regards to providing care for patients of diverse sexes, genders and sexual orientations,” said Stumbar.

In the medical school, Medical Students for Gender and Sexuality Advancement is a student group that provides extra-curricular exposure to LGBTQ+ issues. They host panels, lectures and other events and were recently doing health screenings at Pride.

MedGSA’s mission, according to the Herbert College of Medicine website, is to increase awareness “among the FIU HWCOM student body of LGBTQ health concerns, and to improve the competency and ability of HWCOM students to provide high-quality medical services to LGBTQ patients.”

They also participate in clinical experience for HWCOM students in LGBTQ health at Care Resource Healthcare, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and Federally Qualified Health Center. They have seven facilities in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and Ft. Lauderdale, and provide comprehensive health and support services to address the full healthcare needs of their pediatric, adolescent and adult populations, as mentioned on their website.

Students involved with MedGSA also partake in hands-on training and workshops focused in LGBTQ+ health, the Annual Aids Walk in Miami, research opportunities and other volunteer opportunities.

MedGSA has partnered with the FIU LGBTQ+ community and the FIU Law School’s Stonewall Legal Alliance, a social and political organization designed to raise awareness of gay and lesbian issues. The groups also seeks to provide an open, hospitable environment for the gay community at FIU College of Law through community activism, panel discussions, volunteer work and guest lectures.

Stonewall Legal Alliance examines the intersection of sexual orientation of the law, providing a forum within the law school, providing students with important information from the LGBTQ+ community.

Photo retrieved by Flickr

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