Mayor Don Iveson (far right) and U of A President David Turpin (far left) with the 2016 Community Connections Award winners. Photo credit: Richard Siemens
Most of us wouldn't hesitate to see a doctor for a checkup. But if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, it can be a less-than-comfortable experience. Inspired to change that, a group of University of Alberta medical students is working to improve how health-care professionals connect with their LGBTQ patients.
Initially formed to support Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry students struggling with sexual orientation or gender issues, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advocacy Committee (SGA) addresses health-care curricula gaps that pose barriers for the LGBQT community, aiming to foster better-informed health-care professionals. The group also hosts an annual Inclusive Health Conference with a mix of health-care professionals; students from medicine, nursing and other disciplines such as psychology; and both gay and straight community members.
For its commitment to raising awareness among health professionals about the LGBTQ community, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advocacy Committee received the 2016 Community Leader Award as part of the U of A Community Connections Awards.