Supporting Gender Diverse Patients with the Health Plan's Care Coordination Services
This program discusses the role of health insurers and health care systems in providing care coordination to transgender and gender diverse patients, with a focus on stages of gender affirmation and how gender diverse clients may interact with healthcare systems.
Time | Content | Presenter |
10:00 to 10:20 am | Review of definition of gender identity, gender affirmation, and interfacing with health care providers | Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD Joy Gero, PsyD |
10:20 to 10:40am | Review of resources for trans and gender diverse members in Pittsburgh and in PA | Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD Joy Gero, PsyD |
10:40 to 11:00am | Review of determination of coverage and challenges to determination | Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD Joy Gero, PsyD |
Target Audience
RNs / SW / Health Coaches / Dieticians
Learning Objectives
- Define gender diversity and stages of gender affirmation
- Discuss where to find resources in Pittsburgh and PA related to gender affirmation
- Discuss strategies for managing discomfort or distress than can arise on phone calls with gender diverse patients
Time | Content | Presenter |
10:00 to 10:20 am | Review of definition of gender identity, gender affirmation, and interfacing with health care providers | Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD Joy Gero, PsyD |
10:20 to 10:40am | Review of resources for trans and gender diverse members in Pittsburgh and in PA | Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD Joy Gero, PsyD |
10:40 to 11:00am | Review of determination of coverage and challenges to determination | Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD Joy Gero, PsyD |
Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD
Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD, has accepted an appointment with the Wolff Center as Medical Director of LGBTQ+ Health. In this role Dr. Eckstrand will continue to support the goal to empower UPMC providers and optimize UPMC systems to provide high quality care to the LGBTQ+ communities. They will continue their role as a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Western Psychiatric Hospital of UPMC.
Dr. Eckstrand is internationally recognized for their leadership supporting the health of LGBTQ+ communities and is well-published on the health needs of LGBTQ+ communities, including on training healthcare professionals and optimizing organizations to provide affirming and responsible care to LGBTQ+ individuals. Dr. Eckstrand co-directs the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s LGBTQ+ Health elective, and previously founded the Vanderbilt Program for LGBTQ+ Health, the second LGBTQ+-focused program at an academic health center in the country. Their clinical work and research focuses on the neuropsychiatric underpinnings of trauma and resilience in adolescents, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ populations, and their research has been published in top-tier journals such as JAMA Psychiatry and Biological Psychiatry. During their time at UPMC, Dr. Eckstrand has worked as a consultant on training with the Center for Engagement and Inclusion and as a content matter expert on projects with the Health Plan.
Joy Gero, PsyD
Joy Gero, PsyD has joined the Wolff Center as the as Director of Population Health and Improvement. In her new role, Dr. Gero will have a matrix reporting to the Center for Engagement and Inclusion, and will partner with Health Services Division and UPMC Health Plan leaders to reduce barriers to care, improve the quality of care, and ensure the safety and satisfaction of patients, members, and families of underserved communities. She will continue to serve in her current role as the Program Manager for LGBTQ+ Health for the Health Services Division.
Dr. Gero most recently served as the program director of the General Adult and Behavioral Health Intensive Care Units at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. During her career at UPMC she has worked in leadership and training roles across the health care system including as the leader of patient relations at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. As the manager of LGBTQ+ Health at UPMC, Dr. Gero has led UPMC’s participation and designation in the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index. In addition to her work at UPMC, she has facilitated trainings and spoken about topics ranging from implicit bias, advocacy for intersectional communities, moral injury, suicide, and anxiety.
CCM CE will be provided: 1 CE - CCM COA will be sent via email from UPMC Health Plan nurse planner
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credits.
Available Credit
- 1.00 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 1.00 ASWB