Role of Hospitals: Inova Health

Man standing on podium and speaking through microphone. Behind him is the American flag and a poster board featuring the Gerrard County Lions High School Logo and name. To the right of man on the podium is another man sitting down in a table listening.

The first medical clinic in Northern Virginia dedicated to the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community opened on June 8, 2022, in Falls Church. The Inova Pride clinic is a primary care clinic with a special focus on the unique needs of the LGBTQ community, including gender-affirming care, counseling for youth 12 years and older and adults, and HIV and STD prevention and treatment.

Health care disparities exist among the LGBTQ community because patients often times refuse to seek treatment or assistance worrying that health care providers may not respect their gender identity or sexual orientation. Inova Pride aims to reduce that disparity by ensuring “inclusive and judgement-free care … supporting long-term health and wellness.”

The 3,600 square foot clinic features counseling and exam rooms, a conference room for meetings and all-gender bathrooms. To best meet the needs of this historically underserved community, the staff at Inova Pride all receive extra sensitivity training to ensure they are equipped to welcome their patients into a safe and respectful space.

Though the clinic is starting off small, it will have a big impact on the D.C. area’s LGBTQ+ community. “The sad truth is that many LGBTQ+ patients have encountered some form of discrimination in a health care setting … which has made doctor visits stressful for many,” said Jorge Ramallo, M.D., a primary care physician who leads the clinic. “By creating a dedicated medical home, we can help encourage members of this community to get the care they need.”

For more information, visit: https://www.inova.org/locations/inova-primary-care/pride-clinic

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