GLMA Proud to Partner with Castle Connolly to Release 2024 Top LGBTQ+ Doctors List

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2024

Contact: Eli Duffy
Communications & Development Manager
eduffy@glma.org

Washington, DC – GLMA is excited to announce our ongoing collaboration with Castle Connolly in presenting the Castle Connolly 2024 Top LGBTQ+ Doctors. This year's list celebrates physicians who have not only achieved excellence in their medical careers but have also shown remarkable leadership, compassion, and commitment to improving the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. Recognizing 100 doctors across 44 specialties and 25 states, these outstanding professionals exemplify the highest standards in LGBTQ+ healthcare.

As part of Castle Connolly’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, they recognize top clinicians and help patients find Castle Connolly Top Doctors who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, Castle Connolly has launched a new resource highlighting physicians who provide LGBTQ+ Affirming Care. This tool helps patients find healthcare providers who are trained to deliver compassionate and safe care for the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of their own LGBTQ+ identification.

Recognizing the unique healthcare needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals is vital for breaking down barriers and promoting inclusive access to care. Unfortunately, most health professional training programs lack comprehensive LGBTQ+ health curricula, and when included, these often constitute only brief segments. This nationwide shortfall leaves new health professionals ill-prepared to effectively support LGBTQ+ patients, exacerbating the health disparities and challenges faced by this community. Elevating providers with the skills and expertise to treat this population is essential for bridging gaps and ensuring access to comprehensive care. The Castle Connolly Top LGBTQ+ Doctors and LGBTQ+ Affirming Doctors serve as essential resources to enhance the visibility of these exceptionally skilled health professionals.

“LGBTQ+ physicians provide an invaluable perspective in patient care by offering visibility and representation, which instills hope and confidence in their patients,” says Alex Sheldon, MA, GLMA Executive Director. “Their first hand understanding of the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ communities is essential for building trust and improving health outcomes. By challenging societal norms and breaking down barriers, these healthcare professionals not only inspire future generations of LGBTQ+ physicians but also drive a transformative impact throughout the medical field.”

"As we continue to make strides in LGBTQ+ health equity, GLMA stands as a pivotal force driving change to increase LGBTQ+ representation and visibility among health professionals," said Jesse Joad, MD, MS, GLMA President. "The 2024 LGBTQ+ Top Docs list, alongside Castle Connolly's new resource for LGBTQ+ Affirming Care providers, both mark significant milestones in addressing the urgent unmet need for comprehensive and accessible care within LGBTQ+ communities. Highlighting these providers' expertise and connecting them with local patients not only improves immediate health outcomes but also helps restore trust in the healthcare system. We are immensely proud to partner with Castle Connolly again in this crucial mission."

“Our goal is to foster a healthcare environment where every patient feels seen, respected, and well cared for.” said Steve Leibforth, Managing Director, Castle Connolly. “This list of Top LGBTQ+ Doctors is designed to connect patients with physicians who not only excel in their medical fields but also bring a profound understanding of the specific health concerns and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. We are also excited to introduce a new resource recognizing doctors who provide LGBTQ+ Affirming Care, further supporting patients in finding compassionate and safe healthcare providers.

All Castle Connolly Top LGBTQ+ Doctors are nominated by their peers, after which the Castle Connolly research team evaluates each nominee using selective criteria to determine who makes the list, including professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation, disciplinary history, interpersonal skills and outcomes data.

About GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities and equality for LGBTQ+ health professionals in their work and learning environments.  To achieve this mission, GLMA utilizes the scientific expertise of its diverse multidisciplinary membership to inform and drive advocacy, education, and research. www.glma.org

About Castle Connolly
With over 30 years of experience researching, reviewing and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible source. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Medical Research found that across several specialties, evidence indicates that Castle Connolly's peer-reviewed directory is methodologically more reliable than sites that just relied on patient reviews when it came to identifying quality care. Our mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with best-in-class healthcare providers. www.castleconnolly.com