A Note from Our Clinic Director
I'm frequently asked why I ventured into gender-affirming care. People often anticipate a simple explanation tied to my personal identity or having a connection to someone transgender. But the response they expect isn't the one I offer, and it leaves me feeling a pang of shame. My motivation doesn't stem from my identity or a loved one's; it is rooted in recognizing a deficiency within myself. I was part of the problem, and I acknowledge that I might still be.
This is a space to hear the voices of the community and what is important to you all.
Originally a farm girl from Ohio, my first nursing job in a high-paced New York City emergency room was a dream full of excitement and adventure. I was quickly addicted to the adrenaline rush of the fast pace and high intensity. I thoroughly enjoyed working with amazingly diverse and talented staff and the patients we served. Over time, with exhaustion and adrenal fatigue, my deeply-identified sense of caring slowly seeped out of me, a realization that only dawned on me after transitioning to slower-paced roles in urgent care and college health.
While I was withering, I became acutely aware of the sub-standard care, lack of compassion and inhumanity toward our transgender patients. Even some of my LGB identified co-workers would make disparaging remarks. I couldn’t quite make sense of what I was seeing and spent way too long not speaking up. When I finally did, it felt like it was too little too late. We as a department, and I because of my silence, had caused pain and likely trauma to numerous folks, impacting their entire lives and health because of these experiences.
As I moved into my professional role as a nurse practitioner, I was no longer going to accept the “I don’t know how to help you, go somewhere else” attitude. There were many resources in New York for education that I was able to take advantage of and the constant plea for more allies in this field resonated deeply with me. I knew this was my calling and have dedicated myself to it ever since.
My years in gender-affirming care have been the richest of my life. The folks I have had the pleasure of working with are unique, lovely, and more self-aware than a vast majority of people. They embody openness, courage, and a profound understanding of the world that surpasses many. I am committed to continually learning from and for this community.
I grapple with feelings of taking up space where I might not belong — an imposter within a community that is not inherently mine. To counter this, I aim to create space for others, amplify their voices, and offer unwavering love and support. And with that, I will no longer be posting on this blog of my personal experience. I may provide educational material or respond to questions or requests but this is a space to hear the voices of the community and what is important to you all. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of getting to know and work alongside you.
True U Clinic is an online hormone therapy clinic that provides safe and medically supervised hormone therapy to the trans and non-binary community. We utilize modern day technology and the most up-to-date clinical practices. Our goal is to provide this service at an accessible price, all while treating our clients with compassion and respect.We are dedicated to providing a personalized experience and high-quality care through the convenience of virtual care. Get started with care for exactly who you are, wherever you are, today!
