Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset’s Babs Siperstein PROUD Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, will hold a day-long symposium on “Embracing the LGBTQ+ Community: A Symposium of Inclusion and Understanding” on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Palace at Somerset Park. The Honorable Jeannine LaRue, a lobbyist, social media consultant and public affairs executive, will deliver the keynote address. The event is funded through a grant from TD Bank.
Break-out sessions will cover a range of topics geared toward health care providers, teachers and law enforcement, including LGBTQ+ sensitivity in health care, law and policy, the intersection between the LGBTQ+ community and religion, microaggressions, myths around LGBTQ+ youth and how to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion into your business.
“As a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ health, RWJUH Somerset continues to lead the way in helping to create supportive, safe environments that are inclusive for all who live and work in New Jersey,” said Patrick Delaney, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Somerset. “Through this symposium, we look forward to bringing together leaders from the state’s health care, education and law enforcement communities to foster greater awareness of issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and to develop collaborative solutions.”
“This forum is the first of its kind in the state to bring together key stakeholders who interact closely with members of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Perry Farhat, Administrative Director of the Babs Siperstein PROUD Center and the PROUD Gender Center of New Jersey at RWJUH in New Brunswick. “Our goal is to improve the quality of care for the LGBTQ+ community and to promote health equity for all.”
"We're excited to continue our support of the RWJUH Somerset's PROUD Center and the incredibly important work they're doing to improve equitable access to health care for all," said Bob Greene, Senior Vice President of TD Bank, MidAtlantic Healthcare Team. "This symposium is an important way for the community to connect and TD is proud to be a part of strengthening and building up the community we serve."
Health care providers are eligible to receive 3.5 continuing education credits for attending the event. Lunch and refreshments are provided. Cost is $95 for health care professionals; $45 for non-medical professionals and $25 for students.
To register, go to https://give.classy.org/PROUDSymposium.
The Babs Siperstein PROUD Center was the first in New Jersey to offer specialized primary care services for members of the LGBTQ+ community when it opened in 2017. Its services for ages 18 and older include primary medical care, HIV prevention and care, hormone therapy and monitoring, wellness visits, behavioral health therapy, health education, support groups and patient navigation services. RWJUH Somerset also began offering gender affirmation surgery for adults in 2022. The hospital has been recognized by the Human Rights Foundation as a Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality for seven consecutive years.