Dr. Andrew Wallach presents H&H mission and LGBTQ+ care history
Dr. Andrew Wallach introduces himself as Ambulatory Care Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health and Hospitals, joined by Dr. Omar Fattal. He describes H&H's safety-net mission and history, including 2011 mandatory LGBTQ+ training and the 2014 Metropolitan Pride Health center.
Thank you very much, Taylor.
Good afternoon to Chairwomen Caban, Narcisse, and Farias, and members of the Committees on Mental Health and Substance Use, Hospitals, and Women and Gender Equity.
I am Dr.
Andrew Wallach, the Ambulatory Care Chief Medical Officer at New York City Health and Hospitals.
I am joined today by my colleague, Dr.
Omar Fattah, the Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Health and Hospitals.
As the public safety net healthcare system, Health and Hospitals'mission is simple.
To provide comprehensive health services equally to all New Yorkers, regardless of their ability to pay, and to deliver the highest quality care with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Furthermore, we aim to promote and protect health in its fullest sense, the total physical,
mental, and social well-being of the people of New York City.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.
Health and Hospitals has continuously prioritized support for the LGBTQ plus patients and staff in keeping with our values, relevant laws, and regulations.
In 2011, Health and Hospitals became the first U.S.
Municipal health care system to mandate LGBTQ plus treatment.
for all staff members, and we continuously provide trainings on LGBTQ plus mental health through e-learnings and live training programs that focus on culturally responsive care.
In 2014, Health and Hospitals Metropolitan became the first municipal hospital to open a health care center specifically dedicated to the needs of LGBTQ plus patients.
Today, Health and Hospitals operates these Pride Health clinics in eight of its facilities, including Bellevue, Elmhurst, Gotham Health Gouverneur,
Gotham Health Judson, Jacoby, Lincoln, Metropolitan, and Woodhull.