LGBTQ+ Healthcare

Ochsner is relentless when it comes to delivering comprehensive, respectful care to all patients, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We are home to the region’s largest and most talented team of LGBTQ+ experienced providers, and our facilities have been recognized as “Top Performers” in caring for LGBTQ+ patients by the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index.

The Healthcare Equality Index evaluates healthcare facilities for their dedication to the equitable treatment of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. Ochsner has an LGBTQ+ inclusive patient nondiscrimination, visitation and employment nondiscrimination policies. What’s more, our staff receives specialized training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.

Of course, while Ochsner has specific services for LGBTQ+ patients, like everybody else, you’ll benefit from being treated at the Gulf South’s leading medical center, home to world-renowned specialists and subspecialists in almost every field.

Schedule an Appointment

When you make an appointment, our electronic medical record will ask a patient’s preferred name and pronouns. Visit my.ochsner.org or call 1-866-624-7637 today.

In addition to the health issues all men face, gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) have an increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders and suicide. Research also shows they are more likely to smoke and to abuse alcohol and drugs. In addition, they have a higher frequency of HIV, STIs and HPV, which can lead to an increased risk for certain types of cancers.

Due to embarrassment, fear of rejection or confidentially issues, many gay men and MSM put off preventive care. Ochsner provides a safe, welcoming an environment where all men can get the state-of-the-art care you deserve.

Ochsner Services for Gay Men and MSM Include:

• LGBTQ+ primary care
• Cancer and infectious disease screenings
• Immunizations
• Behavioral health services
• Specialty care
• HIV prEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
• PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis)
• HIV care
• STD care

Lesbian and bisexual women and women who have sex with women require the same routine healthcare maintenance as all women. Unfortunately, they are also at increased risk for certain medical and mental health conditions, including:

• Breast cancer
• Cancer of the reproductive organs 
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Smoking-related illnesses
• Obesity
• Heart disease 
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• STIs
• HIV

Ochsner Services for Lesbian and bisexual woman and WSW include:

• LGBTQ+ primary care
• LGBTQ+ gynecologic care
• Endocrinology and metabolism care
• Behavioral health services
• Specialty care

Children and adolescents can thrive and maximize their development in safe and supportive environments. However, many youth with diverse sexual and gender identities face barriers to receiving the same safety and support as their peers. We know that the health needs of LGBTQ+ youth can differ from that of their peers. Sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity also are often challenging topics for youth and their families to discuss openly. Children and adolescents who are or are questioning whether they may be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender are at much greater risk of:

• Experiencing rejection, loss, and isolation from family, peers, and community members
• Being the victims of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and physical violence
• Enduring psychological distress including depression, anxiety, and gender dysphoria
• Engaging in unhealthy behaviors and/or being bullied or victimized
• Engaging in self-harm and suicide at a higher incidence
• For these and many other reasons, both physical and behavioral healthcare are essential for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

Services offered

• Behavioral health services
• Specialty care

Access to quality healthcare has always been a challenge for transgender individuals who, like everybody else, deserve leading-edge, compassionate care. Along with the health problems faced by the entire population, this community is also at increased risk for certain medical and mental health conditions, including:

• High blood pressure, diabetes, liver dysfunction, and high cholesterol
• Obesity
• Heart disease 
• Tobacco use
• Cancers
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• STDs
• HIV

Service offered:

• Primary care
  • Routine healthcare maintenance, surveillance of chronic medical conditions, access to providers for acute medical visits, smoking cessation.
• Gynecologic care
  • Routine gynecologic care including cancer screening, pelvic examinations, management of chronic or acute gynecologic conditions, contraceptive counseling and management, fertility consultation and treatment, evaluation and treatment of sexual pain. Postsurgical care for transgender women
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Initiation, maintenance, and surveillance of cross-sex hormones.
• Surgical services
  • Referral within and outside referral to providers who perform gender confirmation procedures.
• Cancer screenings
• Behavioral Health
  • Diagnosis of gender dysphoria, treatment and management of other comorbid conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD), management of substance abuse problems.
• Obesity services
  • Multidisciplinary approaches to weight loss and maintenance, referral to bariatric medicine.
• Voice training

LGBTQ+ Primary Care

• Cesar R. Roque, Jr., MD

Ochsner Medical Center – Jefferson Highway

General LGBTQ+ Primary Care:

• Gerald Dodd Denton, MD - Adult
• Jennifer Braaten, MD - Adult

Behavioral Health Services
Specialized Counseling and Medication Management for LGBTQ Patients

• Jennifer Archie, MD – Adult
• Morris Burka, III, PhD – Adult
• Shannon Lovell, PhD, LCSW – Child/Teen
• Ked Dixon, LCSW-Bacs – Child/Teen
• Michele Larzelere, PhD – Oncology – Adult
• Leonard Grubstein, LCSW – Adult
• Clifton Mixon, PhD – Child/Teen

Surgical Services
Anal Cancer Diagnosis/Treatment

• David Vargas, MD, FACS, FASCRS - Colorectal Surgery

Ochsner Health Center – Elmwood

LGBTQ+ Primary Care

• Joseph Miceli, MD - Adult

Ochsner Baptist
 

General LGBTQ+ Primary Care

• Christopher Wormuth, MD
• Nicholas Disalvo, MD

Ochsner Medical Center – Northshore

Behavioral Health Services
Specialized Counseling and Medication Management for LGBTQ+ Patients

• Jennifer Archie, MD – Adult
• Jenny Nicoll, LCSW-BACS – Child/Adolescent

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Services

• Russel Anderson, PhD

Ochsner Health Center - Slidell

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Services

• Russel Anderson, PhD

Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge

LGBTQ+ Primary Care

• Arif Qureshi, MD- Adult
• Brandon Weeks, DO - Adult
• Lee Montgomery, MD – Adult

Behavioral Health
 

• Michael Anders, LCSW
• Shannae Harness, PhD

Ochsner Health Center - Mandeville

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Services

• Russel Anderson, PhD

Ochsner Health Center - Belle Meade

HIV PrEP/Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

• Brandon Page, MD

At Ochsner, we take care of the whole person. If you or your loved ones would like spiritual support and wish to speak with someone, our chaplain services are available to you, no matter what your faith or background. Click here to learn more.