The LGBTQIA+ Clinic at Women & Infants Hospital provides inclusive, compassionate, and affirming OBGYN care for the LGBTQIA+ community. We recognize the unique health needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals and are committed to addressing long-standing health disparities through comprehensive care, research, and education.
We offer a full range of services, including:
We also provide specialized care for pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum needs, understanding the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Our Gender-affirming Services include hormonal treatments and surgical options like salpingectomy, oophorectomy, and hysterectomy. We also collaborate with specialists to perform vaginectomy and refer locally to colleagues for patients seeking top surgery. Our focus is on ensuring safety, well-being, and the best possible outcomes in a supportive, non-discriminatory environment.
Gender-affirming surgery involves medical procedures designed to modify your physical appearance so that it aligns more closely with your gender identity. These surgeries are generally categorized into top surgeries, bottom surgeries, and additional procedures like facial gender confirmation surgery (FGCS).
Collaborating closely with your surgical team is key to identifying the most suitable approach to meet your goals. It's essential to explore your options thoroughly and understand the possible benefits and risks before deciding if gender-affirming surgery is the right path for you.
Our team is available to assist you in navigating the insurance process by addressing your questions and offering resources to help you advocate for yourself. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans. During registration, we'll verify whether your insurance is accepted. For detailed information on your coverage, you can contact the member services number on your insurance card to inquire about the specifics related to the services you seek. You also have the right to request a copy of your medical policy.
About 2 million adults in the United States are transgender; meaning their gender identity differs from the body in which they were born.
Dr. Beth Cronin (she/her) is the Division Director of the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology at Women and Infants Hospital. She attended the University of Vermont Medical School and then completed her residency at Women & Infants Hospital. She has been faculty at Brown/Women & Infants since completing her residency. She serves as an Associate Program Director for the residency program and is passionate about improving care and access to care for LGBTQIA+ individuals and is working to improve the culture throughout our hospital system. She is seeing patients in need of a full range of obstetric and gynecologic services, including gender-affirming hysterectomy at our Gynecologic Specialties Clinic at 90 Plain Street.
Lauren Abern, MD (she/her) is the Division Director of Division of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Abern is an Assistant Professor of OBGYN, Clinician Educator and completed her medical degree at the University of Miami and residency at Abington Memorial Hospital, and is board-certified in obstetrics, gynecology, and complex family planning. She specializes in LGBTQIA+ healthcare including gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender and nonbinary individuals. Her research interests include family planning, cancer screening, reproductive advocacy, and breast/chestfeeding for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
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