OUTmed is a forum for LGBTQIA+ identified faculty, trainees, staff, and allies and is open to the entire School of Medicine. Founded in 2017 by the Department of Medicine, its mission is to provide opportunities for networking, mentoring, community engagement, advocacy, and research regarding LGBTQIA+ advancement.
OUTmed has grown steadily over the past four years with initiatives and activities such as PrideFest St. Louis, sponsoring the annual Human Rights Campaign Dinner in St. Louis and the Transgender Spectrum Conference, and promoting and hosting panels and Grand Rounds related to LGBTQIA+ health. Serving as a resource to the St. Louis community, OUTmed created the LGBTQ Friendly Health Provider Directory to assist community members in finding providers.
Anthony Dao, MD has recently taken over the role of Director of OUTmed from its founding leader, Kara Sternhell-Blackwell, MD. “Dr. Sternhell-Blackwell created a foundation for our community here. Using this momentum, I want to continue advancing LGBTQIA+ causes,” comments Dao. “My greatest aspiration is to create bridges amongst the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University, and BJC. Together, we can create a space and community that promotes and celebrates sexual and gender minorities. I believe WashU can become the epicenter for LGBTQIA+ advocacy and health.”
Currently, OUTmed is advocating for the consistent collection of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SO/GIE) data in all medical records, creating LGBTQ training for all staff members, and designing a recruitment strategy for LGBTQIA+ applicants. OUTmed is also broadening its web presence under the DOM Office of Inclusion and Diversity website. Additional programming is underway for June as we celebrate Pride month. Look for more information and resources coming soon.
The OUTmed committee chairs are Joseph Cherabie, MD (he/him) – Research; Andrea Giedinghagen, MD (she/her) – Education; David Leander, MD (he/him) – Recruitment; and Will Johansen, MD (he/him) – Community. OUTmed’s greatest strength are the members that come from across the School of Medicine. If you’re interested in joining OUTmed, please email Jen Mosher (she/her), mosherj@wustl.edu and we will reach out to you and get you involved.