About Us
Our Story
The Center for 2SLGBTQ+ Health at the University of Washington Medicine is an interdisciplinary center for research, education, healthcare delivery, policy development, and community engagement. We work to ensure access to quality, culturally affirming medical and mental health care for historically underserved 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
The Center is housed within The Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE) which was founded in 2017, with a mission to deliver on the UWM mission to improve the health of the public by ensuring that policies and practices focus on equity, social and health justice as we strive to become an anti-racist academic medical school and healthcare delivery system.
The Center began as an education, training and systemwide capacity building initiative to provide 2SLGBTQ+ competency education for the UWM Healthcare system throughout the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) region. Our initial project was to reduce the barriers of access to equitable healthcare for 2SLGBTQ+ patients, while effecting positive changes to systemic policies, and addressing educational gaps for our workforce of over 40,000 individuals (about twice the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden).
The Center team of experts in clinical care, research, and educational programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ people developed a Trans Health Ally network and the Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD) foundational training. Using the GSD, we began delivering education and training for UWM workforce and the School of Medicine student body.
The Center team created the Transgender and Non-Binary Health Program (TGNB) founded in 2019, their primary goal is to reduce the health disparities experienced by the transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) community by providing inclusive and patient-centered gender affirming healthcare access that is integrated throughout primary, surgical, specialty, and mental health services.
Mission
The Center for 2SLGBTQ+ Health at the University of Washington Medicine is dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of the 2S2SLGBTQ+ community through research, community engagement, education, and inclusive healthcare delivery.
Our mission is to advance equitable, affirming, and comprehensive healthcare for all individuals, with a focus on the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We are committed to fostering a healthcare environment that respects diverse intersectional identities, and experiences within the 2SLGBTQ+ spectrum.
Team
Mariebeth B. Velasquez, MD, She/Her
Co-Founder, Inclusive Health Center,
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine,
Physician-Lead, LGBTQ+ Programs, Office of Healthcare Equity,
Faculty Advisor, QMED, Office of Student Affairs, Director,
Sylvia Phillips Endowment, Office of Academic Affairs
Content Expert, Office of Curriculum | UW School of Medicine
Darlin Lozano, They/She
Co-Founder, Inclusive Health Center,
Program Manager, 2SLGBTQ+ Health, Office of Healthcare Equity
Corinne Heinen, MD, FAAFP, She/Her
Clinical Advisor, Inclusive Health Center
Physician Lead, UW Transgender & Gender Non-Binary Health Program,
Director, LGBTQ+ Health Equity Program, UW Medicine Office of Health Care Equity,
Director, UWSOM LGBTQ Health Student Pathway
Clinical Professor Departments of Family Medicine & Internal Medicine, Allergy & Infectious Disease
Partnerships
In addition to the organizations that are clinically integrated parts of UW Medicine, UW Medicine has affiliations with and interests in other healthcare organizations in the Pacific Northwest, including multiple entities in which the University of Washington, on behalf of UW Medicine, has an ownership or membership interest. Each of these relationships advances UW Medicine’s mission to improve the health of the public.
UW Medicine has longstanding affiliations with many organizations, including Seattle Children’s, MultiCare Health System, VA Puget Sound Health Care and Boise VA Medical Center. While each affiliation is unique, these relationships enable activities and collaboration throughout the region that complement UW Medicine’s strategic plan and advance UW Medicine’s single mission.
UW Medicine, through the University, is one of two equal corporate members and founders of Children’s University Medical Group (with Seattle Children’s). This relationship is vitally important for the success of our pediatric clinical, research and education programs. In addition, UW Medicine is a part owner of a limited liability company (LLC) created with LifePoint that was established to own and operate community hospitals in Washington, Alaska and Idaho. Through this arrangement, UW Medicine provides expertise on quality and complex clinical care at LLC facilities, which are co-branded “A UW Medicine Community Health Partner.”
UW Medicine, through the University, also is one of the three founding owners of a clinically integrated network called Embright (with MultiCare Health System and LifePoint) and the sole corporate member of UW Medicine Choice Care. These two organizations were created to enter into value-based healthcare contracts to provide patient care.
In 2014, UW Medicine formed the UW Medicine Accountable Care Network (UW Medicine ACN), which brought together a network of healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals to assume responsibility for the healthcare of patient populations.
In addition to the UW Medicine ACN, UW Medicine established the UW Medicine Post-Acute Care Network (UW Medicine PAC Network) in 2017, through which UW Medicine contracts with a variety of post-acute care providers in the region to improve care for patients throughout the care continuum. This network includes skilled nursing facilities, home health and hospice, adult day health, and home care partners.
Contact Us
Darlin Lozano (they/she) darlinbl@uw.edu
