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Sexuality, Pride, Education, Care, Truth, Respect and Unity in Medicine (SEPCTRUM)

SPECTRUM is an organization created to serve LGBTQIA+ residents, fellows, and faculty at UNC. Our goal is to create community for our members and a network of queer-inclusive physicians serving our LGBTQIA+ patients.

Our Mission:

  1. To create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ residents, fellows, and faculty to gather and find support as we navigate medical careers
  2. To provide mentorship among our members as we tackle career and personal challenges
  3. To create a network of queer-inclusive and competent physicians for LGBTQIA+ patients across all medical specialties and settings

 

We invite you to join SPECTRUM to be part of our community and grow visibility, inclusion, and the equitable advancement of LGBTQIA+ physicians at UNC. We welcome all residents, fellows and faculty members regardless of outness in our kind and safe group. You belong!

Our Leadership Team

 

Sarah Russel, MD, MPH (she/her), PGY-3 Department of Otalaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery sarah_russel@med.unc.edu
Lina Rosengren-Hovee, MD, MPH (she/they), Assistant Professor Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases lina_roho@med.unc.edu

Recent Happenings

Dr. Rosengren-Hovee spoke at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in Philadelphia in November 2022 about inclusive care for sexual and gender minoritized patients.

Dr. Kimel-Scott leads the Internal Medicine Residency’s LGBTQ elective, and has been instrumental in starting the HIV Certificate Program for Internal Medicine residents, which launched this year.
https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/how-to-welcome-care-for-gender-diverse-patients/

  

 

Dr. Russel had two letters to the editor published that covered LGBTQIA2S+ representation among physicians and medical trainees.

Russel, Sarah M. “The Power of Sponsorship.” Academic Medicine (October 2022). Online ahead of print.

Russel, Sarah M. “Let Me Be Perfectly Queer: Improving Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Data Collection.” Medical Education (May 2022). Online ahead of print.

 

Resources for SPECTRUM Members and Allies

Help us cultivate a safe space and community for queer and queer-affirming physicians. If you have a resource that you think would benefit our community, we welcome suggestions via e-mail (listed below).

UNC-Specific Resources

UNC LGBTQ Center
Provides lists of campus programs, resources, and events for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

UNC LGBTQ Center

 

Health Sciences Library LGBTQIA+ Page
Provides patient resources, links to websites and videos, and guidance on research, clinical education, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ patients.

Health Sciences Library LGBTQIA+

 

Community Groups in the Triangle

 

Trainings and Training Resources

  • Safe Zone Training: This half-day workshop trains learners on fundamentals of the LGBTQIA+ community, health inequities, and ways to provide queer-affirming health care. You will receive a certification for completing this training. https://lgbtq.unc.edu/safe-zone-trainee-hub/
  • Human Rights Campaign Health Equality Index Training Options: The HRC has compiled trainings about LGBTQIA+ patient-centered care that can be completed virtually. https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/hei-training-options They also provide links to best practices for treating LGBTQIA+ patients.
  • Campaign for Southern Equality: This organization, which aims to improve the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ folks in the South, provides trainings on LGBTQIA+ issues as well as information on other resources and initiatives that may be useful to those caring for queer patients. https://southernequality.org/our-work/community-health-project/