CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland VA Medical Center opened the country's first VA clinic, specifically designed to the healthcare needs of transgender veterans.
Known as the "GIVE Clinic" for Gender Identity Veteran Experience, it will provide transgender veterans with primary care, hormonal therapy, pre and post-operative care, mental health services and social work services.
Giovonni Santiago is a 29-year-old Air Force Veteran and one of Dr. McNamara's first patients. He suggested a clinic specifically designed for transgender needs and was thrilled to see it become a reality.
Gender reassignment surgery is not offered through the VA, only through the private sector.
Dr. Megan McNamara is the clinical lead for the transgender clinic and currently treats 22 patients. She expects that number to climb significantly. An hour after the clinic opened, phone calls and emails began coming in from as far as Hawaii of transgender veterans looking to make an appointment.
Dr. McNamara says the reason for the clinic surfaced after research indicated more than 200 veteran patients are newly diagnosed with gender dysphoria across the country. They are five times as many transgender people in the military than in civilian population and these veterans are at a higher risk for tobacco abuse, mental health disorders, and suicide.
The VA established transgender health directives back in 2011 but never had a dedicated treatment space. There are four exam rooms, aimed to create a safe and welcoming environment.
