The Safe Zone in Medicine training program is a collaborative effort supported by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Student Inclusion and Diversity. The purpose of this SZiM training program is to foster greater understanding of the unique care issues faced by patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LBGTQ+).
By offering training that focuses on LGBTQ+ identities and health care-related issues, our doctors, nurses and other health care professionals can build confidence in caring for patients, mentoring students, and communicating with colleagues from the LGBTQ+ community.
The Safe Zone in Medicine training consists of learning and exploration of:
- LGBTQ+ terminology
- Health disparities as they exist in this community
- Nuances of taking care of transgender patients
- Intersex health
- The coming out process
- Inclusion, discrimination and heteronormative privilege
- And more
Looking for a provider with experience treating LGBTQ+ patients? The following Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist providers participate in the Safe Zone in Medicine training program, and more are completing the training each year:
Family Medicine
Pediatrics
- Kimberly Montez, MD, MPH
- Sarah A. W. Northrop, MD
- Elizabeth T. Walsh, MD (pediatric endocrinology)
Obstetrics and Gynecology
ENT and Speech Pathology
Endocrinology
Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
- Catherine Cheek, MA, LPA
- Sebastian Kaplan, PhD
- James Kimball, MD
- Richard P. McQuellon, PhD
Infectious Diseases
Emergency Medicine
Other Specialties
- Karl Richardson, MD (Cardiology)
- Holly Pilson, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)
- Maria Mariencheck, MD, PhD (Dermatology)
Learn more about our commitment to LGBTQ+ health care and wellness.
If you are a provider interested in taking this innovative and informative training program, designed particularly for our caregivers who want to further their knowledge of the care challenges faced by this important community we serve, or just want to know more about our Safe Zone in Medicine training, please email inclusiondiversity@wakehealth.edu.