LGBTQ+ Health Community

Hello Sigma Members! Thanks for being a part of Sigma's LGBTQ+ Health community and for contributing to the important discussions taking place.

I'd like to introduce you to the current facilitators, @Erik McIntosh and @Katie Fasullo, who will ensure there is regular conversation for you to participate in regarding complementary and integrative health approaches in nursing.

Now tell us about you! If you are new to this community take a few moments to introduce yourself. Tell your fellow Sigma members more about you and your interest in complementary health approaches. (You can reply to this thread directly from your email, or navigate to the thread in the community and select the "reply" button.)

If you have already introduced yourself, feel free to start a new discussion thread at any time! We look forward to reading your questions and comments regarding this topic. Just click the "Add" button from the Discussions area:

Thanks for your continued participation in this community! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of the group facilitators. Access this list to view other topic based communities you can join. 

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If you're interested in serving as a volunteer Community of Interest facilitator, view the Sigma Volunteer Opportunities page for available opportunities.  ​​​

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Toiya Lister
Constituent Communications and Training Specialist
Indianapolis IN
United States
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Hello LGBTQ+ Health Community!

My name is Peter and my pronouns are he/him. I am a cis-gay man working at Bern University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland as lecturer. Knowing that I am quite privileged in my life as an older, white, cis-man, happily married with the man I love, I decided quite late in my career to return to my more "activist" self and put an effort into adding diversity issues to teaching as well as into research. You have to know, that I am not an "old academic" as I have always been working in clinical practice, even when I did my MScN and my PhD in Great Britain. My university career started two years ago at the age of 55! Anyway, here I am, doing my best in teaching Masters students in nursing and other health professions and bringing a lot of LGBTQIA+ themes into it. Additionally, people from different departements are now conducting research, hopefully benefitting the LGBTQIA+ community. Currently, we're developing a study to investigate trans peoples work situation. 

Well, that's about it for the moment, I don't want to bore you. Looking forward to interesting conversations.

Best wishes

Peter

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Dr Peter Wolfensberger
Sternenberg
Switzerland
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Howdy from Texas, Everyone.

My name is Alison Pittman, and I am new to this group. My pronouns are she/hers. I am a clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Nursing in College Station, Texas. I am joining this group because I have a real passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community, and living in Texas, colleagues are VERY hard to come by. This has been my research interest for the past six years, and the climate here for this area of work has become more and more difficult. I recently rejoined Sigma in an effort to broaden my connections and hopefully find some research partners that can help me help folks in Texas. It's rough over here!

In 2017, some colleagues and I founded the Texas A&M Alliance for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Education. We have been doing research here at TAMU to see what students and faculty want and need in terms of LGBTQ+ health education. Most of the country's health profession educational programs provide little to nothing in terms of culturally sensitive preparation for caring for LGBTQ+ patients but we want to change that, starting here in Texas.

To say that we have hit roadblock after roadblock is an understatement. If you share this struggle, please reach out.

I hope to help you all as well and participate in meaningful conversations with like-minded people. it's a desert out here.

Thank you,

Alison

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Alison Pittman Ph.D., RN, CNE, CPN
Clinical Assistant Professor
College Station TX
United States
------------------------------

Hello Alison! My direct role does not involve a focus on this population, but if there is anything I can do to help out from Kentucky, I would be happy to explore that. 

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Vanessa Fisk RN,BSN,CCRC
Clinical Research Nurse
Louisville KY
United States
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Original Message:
Sent: Thu September 14,2023 04:37 PM
From: Alison Pittman
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Howdy from Texas, Everyone.

My name is Alison Pittman, and I am new to this group. My pronouns are she/hers. I am a clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Nursing in College Station, Texas. I am joining this group because I have a real passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community, and living in Texas, colleagues are VERY hard to come by. This has been my research interest for the past six years, and the climate here for this area of work has become more and more difficult. I recently rejoined Sigma in an effort to broaden my connections and hopefully find some research partners that can help me help folks in Texas. It's rough over here!

In 2017, some colleagues and I founded the Texas A&M Alliance for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Education. We have been doing research here at TAMU to see what students and faculty want and need in terms of LGBTQ+ health education. Most of the country's health profession educational programs provide little to nothing in terms of culturally sensitive preparation for caring for LGBTQ+ patients but we want to change that, starting here in Texas.

To say that we have hit roadblock after roadblock is an understatement. If you share this struggle, please reach out.

I hope to help you all as well and participate in meaningful conversations with like-minded people. it's a desert out here.

Thank you,

Alison

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Alison Pittman Ph.D., RN, CNE, CPN
Clinical Assistant Professor
College Station TX
United States
------------------------------

Hi Allison
In Chile, after the Cass Report we have had to go through a difficult process of insults, questions and barriers to doing our work. But what is important is never easy!
Congratulations on the initiatives, I will be happy to help if you require support for working with Spanish-speaking people!

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Paula Maureira-Martínez
Santiago
Chile
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Original Message:
Sent: Thu September 14,2023 04:37 PM
From: Alison Pittman
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Howdy from Texas, Everyone.

My name is Alison Pittman, and I am new to this group. My pronouns are she/hers. I am a clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Nursing in College Station, Texas. I am joining this group because I have a real passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community, and living in Texas, colleagues are VERY hard to come by. This has been my research interest for the past six years, and the climate here for this area of work has become more and more difficult. I recently rejoined Sigma in an effort to broaden my connections and hopefully find some research partners that can help me help folks in Texas. It's rough over here!

In 2017, some colleagues and I founded the Texas A&M Alliance for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Education. We have been doing research here at TAMU to see what students and faculty want and need in terms of LGBTQ+ health education. Most of the country's health profession educational programs provide little to nothing in terms of culturally sensitive preparation for caring for LGBTQ+ patients but we want to change that, starting here in Texas.

To say that we have hit roadblock after roadblock is an understatement. If you share this struggle, please reach out.

I hope to help you all as well and participate in meaningful conversations with like-minded people. it's a desert out here.

Thank you,

Alison

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Alison Pittman Ph.D., RN, CNE, CPN
Clinical Assistant Professor
College Station TX
United States
------------------------------

Hello Community!  

My name is Heather (she/her) and I'm a cisgender RN working in the cath lab/EP lab of an acute care hospital in my community (Tucson, Arizona).  I'm the proud parent of an amazing non-binary almost adult person which has really opened my eyes to the LGBTQ+ community.  I am continuously learning about how I can serve this community as a healthcare provider and as an advocate.  I look forward to meeting group members and learning from your experiences and wisdom!

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Heather George, RN, BSN
Cath Lab, EP Lab RN
Tucson, Arizona
United States
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Welcome Heather! Thank you for joining our group, and I look forward to your thoughts and contributions! Your perspective as a parent of a non-binary child is so valuable. 

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Erik McIntosh, DNP, RN
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Chicago, IL
U.S.A
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon October 09,2023 08:27 PM
From: Heather George
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Hello Community!  

My name is Heather (she/her) and I'm a cisgender RN working in the cath lab/EP lab of an acute care hospital in my community (Tucson, Arizona).  I'm the proud parent of an amazing non-binary almost adult person which has really opened my eyes to the LGBTQ+ community.  I am continuously learning about how I can serve this community as a healthcare provider and as an advocate.  I look forward to meeting group members and learning from your experiences and wisdom!

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Heather George, RN, BSN
Cath Lab, EP Lab RN
Tucson, Arizona
United States
------------------------------

Hi everyone!

I'm Beverly Alomepe (she/her).  I'm a queer Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and an artist with a special interest in blending western medicine, mindfulness-based psychotherapy, nutritional psychiatry, and psychedelic healing.  I love connecting with other nurses passionate about providing compassionate care for LGBTQ+ community.  I recently started a holistic psychiatry private practice centered on these values, and would love to connect with other business-minded nurses too.  

Warmly,

Beverly Alomepe

Integrative PMHNP-BC

www.transcend-mental.com

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Beverly Alomepe RN,PMH-NP
Flower Mound TX
United States
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Original Message:
Sent: Sat October 21,2023 04:21 PM
From: Erik McIntosh
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Welcome Heather! Thank you for joining our group, and I look forward to your thoughts and contributions! Your perspective as a parent of a non-binary child is so valuable. 

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Erik McIntosh, DNP, RN
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Chicago, IL
U.S.A
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Mon October 09,2023 08:27 PM
From: Heather George
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Hello Community!  

My name is Heather (she/her) and I'm a cisgender RN working in the cath lab/EP lab of an acute care hospital in my community (Tucson, Arizona).  I'm the proud parent of an amazing non-binary almost adult person which has really opened my eyes to the LGBTQ+ community.  I am continuously learning about how I can serve this community as a healthcare provider and as an advocate.  I look forward to meeting group members and learning from your experiences and wisdom!

------------------------------
Heather George, RN, BSN
Cath Lab, EP Lab RN
Tucson, Arizona
United States

Welcome, Beverly! What a wonderful niche you have found in your nursing practice! Please share any resources you have found important in your practice that we could benefit from in the wider nursing community. I'm looking forward to your thoughts and contributions!

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Erik McIntosh, DNP, RN
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Chicago, IL
U.S.A
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue October 31,2023 01:47 PM
From: Beverly Alomepe
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Hi everyone!

I'm Beverly Alomepe (she/her).  I'm a queer Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and an artist with a special interest in blending western medicine, mindfulness-based psychotherapy, nutritional psychiatry, and psychedelic healing.  I love connecting with other nurses passionate about providing compassionate care for LGBTQ+ community.  I recently started a holistic psychiatry private practice centered on these values, and would love to connect with other business-minded nurses too.  

Warmly,

Beverly Alomepe

Integrative PMHNP-BC

www.transcend-mental.com

------------------------------
Beverly Alomepe RN,PMH-NP
Flower Mound TX
United States
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Sat October 21,2023 04:21 PM
From: Erik McIntosh
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Welcome Heather! Thank you for joining our group, and I look forward to your thoughts and contributions! Your perspective as a parent of a non-binary child is so valuable. 

------------------------------
Erik McIntosh, DNP, RN
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Chicago, IL
U.S.A


Original Message:
Sent: Mon October 09,2023 08:27 PM
From: Heather George
Subject: Introduce yourself and network in the LGBTQ+ Health Community!

Hello Community!  

My name is Heather (she/her) and I'm a cisgender RN working in the cath lab/EP lab of an acute care hospital in my community (Tucson, Arizona).  I'm the proud parent of an amazing non-binary almost adult person which has really opened my eyes to the LGBTQ+ community.  I am continuously learning about how I can serve this community as a healthcare provider and as an advocate.  I look forward to meeting group members and learning from your experiences and wisdom!

------------------------------
Heather George, RN, BSN
Cath Lab, EP Lab RN
Tucson, Arizona
United States

HI, 

My name is Denee Hollins.  I recently had my story posted on the Sigma website regarding my experience with the disparities of LGBTQ care.  I am so excited to be apart of this Sigma community! Presently, I am a nursing professor at a college in Virginia. My current focus is streamlining education we provide to future nurses regarding LGBTQ healthcare disparities. Thank you again for having me! I am excited to connect.  

Denee 

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Denee Hollins RN,DNP
Associate Professor
Chesapeake VA
United States
------------------------------

Hello everyone!

I just joined Sigma and am excited to engage with the community. I have been in healthcare since I was a teenager. I received my CNA as a teen, LPN in 2005, RN in 2006, BSN in 2012, and working on my MSN. I do not know if I will ever stop learning. At my employer, I am part of our LGBTQ+ resource group and outside of work, I serve on the board of an organization that focuses on serving houseless LGBTQ+ youth. I am excited to be a part of this community and hope to be able to engage with others. 

Vanessa Fisk BSN, RN, CCRC (she/her)

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Vanessa Fisk RN,BSN,CCRC
Clinical Research Nurse
Louisville KY
United States
------------------------------

Hello, fellow Sigma members! My name is Joslyn Massie, and my pronouns are she/her. I am a new Sigma inductee and will be graduating from the ABSN program at the University of Florida this summer. LGBTQ+ health is so important to me, especially as a queer individual who had limited support growing up. I plan to work in oncology once I graduate, but I know that no matter where I go, LGBTQ+ individuals will always be a part of my care. I hope to advocate for improved healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals and provide a safe space for my patients. I look forward to being part of this incredible group of human beings!

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Joslyn Massie
Accelerated BSN Student
Gainesville, FL
United States
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Hello everyone!

I am an upcoming BSN graduate at Gwynedd Mercy University. Additionally, I have 12 years of customer service experience with a most recent focus managerially as a banquet captain in a hospitality setting. My healthcare focus in the past three years includes school clinical experience and six years in hospitals as a CNA on telemetry, neuro and PACU floors. I also hold over 90 hours of volunteer experience with the Montgomery County Medical Reserve Corps, the Perkiomen Watershed Conservatory, and the American Red Cross.

I am currently pursuing a career in critical care nursing and I am interested in ensuring that my care is inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. 

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Aisha Landreville

AishaLandreville@gmail.com

Gilberstville PA
United States
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Aisha Landreville
Gilberstville PA
United States
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Hi, I'm Monica Nicholson-Gilliland. I am a school nurse and co-advisor to a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club on a middle school campus. I am always looking for information and ideas to promote LGBTQIA+ health and wellness in the school community.

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Monica Nicholson-Gilliland, BSN, RN
Credentialed School Nurse
Santa Maria, CA
United States
------------------------------

Hi LGBTQIA+ Community!

My preferred name is Skyelar and my pronouns are they/them. I am a genderfluid AFAB working as pediatric cvicu nurse! I am still a new grad, so fairly new to the profession. I was born and raised in California, but currently working in the Midwest. I wanted to connect with other nurses and be part of the community devoted to serving this community! As of now, I have just been reading up on research and learning more from members of the community. Learning slang, niche terms and just continually educating myself. Looking forward to connecting!

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Skyelar Nguyen RN, BSN
Registered Nurse
Rochester MN
United States
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Hollo Colleagues!

I am Paula, a community nurse and I work in the development of public policies for people with diverse SOGIESC and their health care.
I am very interested in continuing to learn and happy to collaborate,
Regards :)

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Paula Maureira-Martínez
Santiago
Chile
------------------------------

Hi all, my name is Christiana Nsoh, a wife and mother of two boys and one girl. I am a PMHNP with a private practice in Lawrence MA and Derry NH. I provide in person and telehealth services, work with all ages and gender for medication management. I developed interest in working with the LGBTQ community when a very good friend of mine became a lesbian, after watching her go through stress just to fit in, I wanted to learn more about the community,  be there for her and help others.  I do psychotherapy add on but not my main focus. I graduated from Wilkes University with my masters and currently at Capella working on my DNP. I hope to learn from all of you and share knowledge to bring the best to our patients.

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Christiana Nsoh
Methuen MA
United States
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