New London Hospital Provides LGBTQ+ Care

By Meaghan Breen
Eagle Times Health Correspondent
NEW LONDON, NH –New London Hospital is taking June to recognize Pride Month, which is observed nationally to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights.

Dartmouth Health Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Dr. Teresa Malcolm says the organization’s approach to LGBTQ+ issues is multi-faceted. It may include gender affirming care, which is the psychological, social and medical treatment of an individual with gender dysphoria (an individual who questions their biological gender).

“Gender affirming care is essential care. It’s medical care that’s specific to individuals that have a need. So, in the same way we provide care for patients who are pregnant … [those with] trauma or injuries … the same way we provide care for patients who have diabetes or acid reflux or Lupus, it’s customized to the individual, specific to their needs,” she said.

There’s “a wide spectrum to gender affirming care. One aspect is around transition; fully removing organs or having other organs developed, that’s one aspect. In some cases, it’s beginning to provide individuals with counseling, with therapy, to have a safe space to just be able to come and express how they’re feeling,” she said.

Malcolm’s department is “in the toddler stages,” she said, noting that it’s less than five years old. She took the position in April 2022. She provides strategic planning, collaboration and advice to Dartmouth staff and affiliated hospitals, like NLH.

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is a large umbrella. It involves creating a hospital culture where both patients and staff feel comfortable and safe. One way NLH seeks to create this environment is through feedback from staff and patients. “I’m listening to our providers, our staff. What are our patients asking for? They’re bringing their clinical knowledge into that retelling of that information,” Malcolm said. “It’s really important to hear the stories directly from the patients. ‘Where did you feel welcomed? Where did you feel most certainly the environment could be improved upon?’”

In-person training and workshops are available to all staff . This is not just for staff-patient relationships, but also employee relations.

“How do you model inclusive leadership…lead others who are very different than you? Bring out everyone’s individual gift. [How can] they can thrive so the whole team can thrive?” Malcolm asked.

“Dartmouth Health understands that we’re on a journey, , she said. “We absolutely want the voices of our patients and our employees to be heard and valued … be welcomed here for who they are, not assimilate and conform … [be] fully valued for what they contribute and bring to the table.”

“We know we have work to do and are embracing all the scars and bumps along the way,” she concluded.