Kaiser Permanente, the region’s largest integrated, nonprofit health system, has launched Pride Medical within its Capitol Hill Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Pride Medical is an inclusive medical practice devoted to meeting the unique health care needs of adult Kaiser Permanente members (ages 18+) who identify as LGBTQ+. Pride Medical is staffed by three Permanente physicians who bring significant experience and passion for providing health care to LGBTQ+ patients.
Since Pride Medical began seeing patients in 2021, the physician team has conducted more than 380 visits and is available to Kaiser Permanente members in the Mid-Atlantic region. Patients can book a virtual visit or office visit with a primary care or ob-gyn physician at Kaiser Permanente’s Capitol Hill Medical Center.
“Kaiser Permanente has a rich history of providing comprehensive, integrated and equitable health care to our members and communities we serve,” said Ruth Williams-Brinkley, regional president, Kaiser Permanente. “Pride Medical extends this long-standing commitment by offering an inclusive approach to health care for our LGBTQ+ members who have historically faced barriers to accessing health care. We are honored to help address this with Pride Medical.”
Pride Medical offers care in a variety of specialty areas with physicians who are experienced in LGBTQ+ care, including primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, meet-and-greet with the physician, health assessments, discussions of gender identity, treatment for STI and co-infections, HIV, PrEP, immunizations, and cancer screenings. Gender affirming services for transgender individuals are a focus as well, including hormone therapy, pre- and post-surgical needs and coordination with regional experts in gender-affirming procedures and surgeries.
“Research shows patients who identify as LGBTQ+ are less likely to benefit from or seek preventive services such as cancer screenings and treatment for chronic conditions,” said Dr. Keith Egan. “Our Pride Medical physicians, are board-certified and members of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and we are proud to welcome LGBTQ+ patients in a judgment-free, compassionate, and supportive environment.”
Through Pride Medical, Kaiser Permanente has created an atmosphere that fosters relationships built on trust. Providers seek to engage in open and honest doctor-patient communication that helps them assess and address members’ health needs. This is vitally important as Kaiser Permanente continues to address health care disparities that exist among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and nonbinary/gender nonconforming individuals. To date, Pride Medical has provided Kaiser Permanente’s integrated approach to more than 300 members and has received top reviews on its experience.
Pride Medical seeks to offer patients flexibility in accessing care. Many patients may want to discuss sensitive issues that affect not only their health, but the health of their partners, including sexual health, contraception and PrEP. Pride Medical physicians are available for ongoing care as a patient’s primary care physician or OB-GYN or can also provide medical care for specific health concerns if a patient prefers to keep their doctor. Patients can book a Pride Medical visit at KP.org or by calling 1-800-777-7904. More information about LGBTQ+ Care and providers is available here. Learn more about becoming a Kaiser Permanente member and health plan options here.
The award-winning care provided at Pride Medical helps Kaiser Permanente members in the Mid-Atlantic live longer, healthier lives. Pride Medical patients will benefit from their doctors’ access to Kaiser Permanente’s electronic health record network, a hallmark of the plan’s total health approach. From urgent to subspecialty care, and from screenings to primary care –doctors and nurses at Kaiser Permanente work together to coordinate seamless and convenient care for members across the integrated Kaiser Permanente network. Kaiser Permanente’s Mid-Atlantic region is the only health plan in the nation to receive a 5-star rating for both its Medicare and commercial plans in the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Health Insurance Plan Ratings for 2021-2022. In addition, Kaiser Permanente is recognized nationally as a leader in LGBTQ+ health care equality by several advocacy groups, including a top rating for many years by the Human Rights Campaign.
Kaiser Permanente’s medical centers are designed to offer members high-quality care, better outcomes, and easy access to integrated services under one roof. When members visit Pride Medical at Capitol Hill Medical Center, they are part of this uniquely integrated system where they can see their doctor, get lab services or X-rays, and pick up a prescription — all in a single trip.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org
