SU Hosts Annual Interprofessional Symposium on Transgender Care and Experience

By SU Public Relations

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) recently brought community members, educators, medical professionals, social workers and allies together to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance and continue their mission of fostering inclusivity, understanding and support for the transgender community. 

SU’s second annual Interprofessional Symposium on Transgender Care and Experience interactive day of learning focused on the topic “Achieving Trans Health Equity in a Polarized Society: The Role of Interprofessional Health Care.” 

The event fostered conversations with keynote speaker and distinguished behavioral health and LGBTQIA+ advocacy professional Noah Duckett, LCSW and director of behavioral health at Planned Parenthood of Delaware, as well as members of the transgender community, who shared their lived experiences. 

“Today is a day of learning, of reflection and of solidarity,” said SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre via a recorded message. “It is a reminder that we must continue to create environments where all individuals are seen, heard and valued for who they truly are. The work done here today will only further our mission of ensuring that everyone has the care and respect that they deserve.” 

Objectives of the symposium included understanding the behavioral health approach to improve the delivery of equitable and evidence-based clinical care; identifying current and future health and legislative hurdles for transgender and gender-diverse care; and next steps on how to best improve interprofessional care and allyship for the local transgender and gender-diverse community. 

“To the 200 registrants here with us today: Thank you for investing your time, energy and care into this important work,” said. Dr. Laurie Couch, SU provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “Your participation stands in affirmation that our campus is a place where people feel a strong sense of belonging. Your presence signals a collective desire to effect change and uplift one another.”

The annual symposium is made possible by the Transgender Interprofessional Care Team (TICT), comprised of SU faculty and community stakeholders from TransLiance, a local transgender advocacy group. 

Now in their second year, TICT members include Kathy Carpenter Brown of TransLiance; Rachel Moore, CHC director; and Drs. Michèle Schlehofer, project lead and professor of psychology; Dan Green, assistant professor of social work and B.A.S.W. program director; Jeffrey Willey, associate professor of nursing; and Kim Van Vulpen, associate professor of social work, with input from TransLiance members.

During the event, a proclamation from Governor Wes Moore establishing the day as Maryland’s official Transgender Day of Remembrance was recognized. The proclamation commemorated transgender communities historical fight for justice, paid tribute to lives lost and emphasized the state’s commitment to creating a home where transgender people thrive. 

Attendees engaged in an in-depth question-and-answer panel session, “Impact of Anti-Trans Policies on Lived Experience” moderated by Green, featuring Vienna Cavazos of Bulletproof Pride; Graeme Davis of Phoenix Accessibility and the Global Trans Equity Project; Tina Jones of the Delmarva Pride Center and Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs; and Inder Phoenix-Doke, community member and inclusive health care advocate. 

Topics ranged from personal lived experiences across the U.S.’s varying legislative restrictions; discussions of limited medical care and hurdles within healthcare systems, especially on the Eastern Shore; and addressing stereotypes and labels in medical, academic and professional settings.

The day culminated with a Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, led by Kathy Carpenter Brown of TransLiance, for those whose lives have been lost due to anti-trans hate and violence and to those who have lost their lives to suicide. Dr. William Folger, professor of music, accompanied the vigil, playing the Samuel R. Brown and William D. Church Carillon at SU’s Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons, where the symposium was held.

“On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, I want you to know that every bell rung during today’s vigil does not only commemorate a precious life lost, every bell also honors every one of you working to illuminate the trans community and provide them with the care they need and the dignity they deserve,” said University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Jay A. Perman via a recorded message. “I’m glad you’re creating a world where our shared humanity wins in the end.” 

A takeaway for attendees and call from panelists to SU students in the room who will one day become medical professionals, social workers and educators: Continue to learn, speak up when you notice something or when someone asks you to speak up for them, normalize gender neutral language in clinical care, and become care providers and allies who listen first above all else. 

Additional event supporters and sponsors include USM’s William E. Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation, the College of Health and Human Services, SU’s Academic Affairs Division, the Office of the Vice President of Inclusion, Access and Belonging, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Institutional Equity, the Disability Resource Center, Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education, the Graduate School at SU, SU Libraries, the SU Counseling Center, the Worcester County Health Department’s Lower Shore Health Insurance Assistance Program, Inspiration Health Services LLC and CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. 

For more information, visit the CHC webpage.

Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at the SU website.