On December 6, 2016, Arizona Family Health Partnership held the final Delegates’ meeting of the year, opening up the attendance to people outside the delegate network tome and offered Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the medical providers that attended. Five guest speakers presented about a variety of reproductive health topics such as: transgender health across the lifespan, preconception health, Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) methods, and best practices in reproductive life planning. Below is an outline of each of the topics presented.
Beyond Binary: Current Opinions in the Clinical Care of Gender Variant Children and Youth – Dr. Vinny L. Chulani, MD, MSED, FSAHM, CEDS
Coming from Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dr. Chulani specializes in working with LGBTQ youth and clients with eating disorders. He presented on providing care for transgender and gender variant youth. Some highlights were an overview of the “Genderbread Person”, a concept used to differentiate gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual attraction, an overview of gender dysphoria in youth who are in transition, and a discussion about pubertal hormone suppression.
Care of the Adult Transgender Patient – Cyndy Churgin, RNP-C
As Nurse Practioner with Comprehensive Women’s Health, Cyndy began work with LGBT patients in 2010 and currently sees around 70 transgender patients regularly. Cyndy spoke with the group about hormonal therapy for adult transgender patients and about some of her experiences working with patients over the last few years.
Recognizing When a Non-Daily Method is a Contraceptive Choice – Dr. Jeff Livingston, MD
Dr. Livingston was a guest speaker from MacArthur OB/GYN in Texas, brought to us by Merck. He presented on various non-daily methods, including the birth control shot, IUDs, and implants, and on why some clients might find these methods a better option for them.
Patient Centered Reproductive Goals Counseling – Patty Cason, RN, MS, FNP-BC
Patty, the President of Envision SRH, travelled from California to provide participants with an understanding of how to counsel patients on reproductive health in a way that creates shared decision making and keeps their goals at the forefront.
Preconception Health – Dr. Sharon Thompson, MD, MPH, FACOG
AFHP’s Medical Director Dr. Thompson shared with the attendees best practices for working with clients trying to improve their preconception health. Women were the focus of the presentation and a wide range of topics were covered, from stopping harmful habits (like substance abuse), to healthy eating and exercise, to vaccinations. The importance was placed on guiding clients on their own health habits, especially if they are seeking pregnancy in the near future.
The event was wrapped up with some updates for AFHPs delegates and guests were encourage to take some of the resources provided through what AFHP calls “Dania’s Annual Garage Sale”, after a tradition started by Program Manager Dania Garcia. It was a great learning opportunity, and we look forward to doing it again in the future.
– Bari Sprecher, Program & Community Outreach Coordinator
