CarePoint, Hudson Pride partner up to expand healthcare access to LGBTQ community

CarePoint Health and the Hudson Pride Center have partnered up to expand healthcare access to the LGBTQ community, as well as improving LGBTQ sensitivity and cultural competency training. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“Studies show that LGBT individuals have unique healthcare issues and experience certain health challenges at higher rates than the general population,” Dr. Tucker Woods, the chief medical officer at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, said in a statement.

“By partnering with Hudson Pride, we will be able to work together to face the challenges and barriers to accessing needed health services.”

Woods also noted that employees at the CarePoint healthcare system, which also includes the Bayonne Medical Center and Hoboken University Medical Center, have formed a new employee group called “CarePoint Pride” to start the work necessary to address the goals and objectives of this new alliance with Hudson Pride.

Earlier this month, Hudson Pride Center temporarily relocated its offices to Christ Hospital until it moves to its new home on Newark Avenue in downtown Jersey City.

“Hudson Pride is excited to launch this partnership with CarePoint as we know it will be an opportunity for us to bring important services to thousands of people throughout the area,” added Hudson Pride Center CEO Michael Billy.

“To understand the disparities and inequalities that the LGBT community face within the healthcare system is the first step. The second step is to create a model for healthcare for the LGBT community that not only addresses the unmet needs we face, but also works to break down these disparities and finally provide proper access to care.”

As part of the partnership, Hudson Pride will conduct an LGBTQ Sensitivity and Cultural Competency Training for all CarePoint Health emergency room staff.

The first segment of the workshops will help participants distinguish between the concepts of sex, gender, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, sexual identity and gender expression when discussing issues related to human sexuality.

This training also discusses the social, mental, physical and sexual health trends among the LGBTQ community.

Additionally, CarePoint Health and Hudson Pride will be hosting an LGBTQ Health Fair during Pride Month in August and CarePoint and its health care professionals will be partnering with Hudson Pride on their annual Trans Youth Camp during June.