Transgendered People with Medical Professions

[~Serena~]

Well I've started to post more often on this forum and I just wanted to get to know the medical community within here. As a podiatry student, (going to become a foot doc for those that don't know) I know that its a minority medical profession within medicine and the amount of pods involved in LGBT is just a fraction of that. So I just wanted to hear from trans people of various medical professions and students ranging from nursing to physical therapy to veterninary, allopathic, or osteopathic medicine, etc., etc. Being in the midst of transitioning right now, myself, I want to see what others have experienced regarding balancing lifestyle and career/academics or any other difficulties that they had to face during the transitioning process.

Serena

[Stephanie-L]

Greetings and welcome. I am a Nurse practitioner (Nurse Anesthetist), and have been actively transitioning for about a year now, I expect the whole process to take another 3 years or so. I do know of other nurses on this forum, and at least one surgeon. And of course there are a few physicians who have transitioned who have a bit of fame, Marci Bowers and Christine McGinn to name but two. I have only come out at work to my immediate supervisor, and he has had no problems so far. I will "go public" just before I have FFS in a few months. I am out everywhere else but at work, and I expect that by the time I make my announcement, it will not be much of a secret as I have come very close to running into coworkers out in public more than once already. I do not know if I could handle the stress of school, board exams, etc, on top of transitioning, they are difficult enough separately. Much luck to you...............Stephanie

[ReneeT]

http://www.glma.org

[StaceyJane]

I work as a civilian lab tech in an Army hospital. Since I work for the Department of the Army I'm keeping my status quiet for now.

[KellyJameson]

I do not treat disease but I study them, looking for cures for emerging and neglected diseases throughout the world.

I have found the worlds we cannot see to be the most interesting ones to learn about.

[~Serena~]

@ Stephanie: Wow I just have to say that's an awesome career because I have heard about how competitive getting into the nurse anesthetist program can be. Good luck to you with that. You're basically almost full time then...congrats! Yes its definitely going to be tough but I just can't wait any longer. I've been waiting for such a long time and kept postponing it because of where I was (for undergrad and below I was living in Florida which is where my conservative parents live) and financial reasons I couldn't support myself and transition by myself without any resources. Now that I am independent and live pretty much on loans I figure that I'm going to be in debt regardless so there's no point pushing my transition further back ( I know I'm going to have to pay everything back with interest but I would rather do all of that as a girl). Plus the younger I start the better. This is my first year in school and if I wait 4 years to start during my residency then I'll have lost all that time and it might take longer for the hormones to affect my appearance. Thanks Stephanie for your advice and well wishes!

@ Renee: I don't know if that's only for MD and DO physicians or all medical professions. I'll look further into it.

@ Stacy: Working in the army and transitioning seems tough. So I wish you all the best.

@ Kelly: You're helping to save so many lives with your research...that's a real hero!

[Lorileah]

I am a veterinarian.

[Henna]

I worked with a TS doctor, who was the head of department and as far as I know, transitioned during her career.

Also, going out of the Medical field, there is a priest in our country, who transitioned. That was far from easy, as it ended to newspapers, but as far as I know, she still works as a priest.

So, anything is possible as long as you are determined!

[ReneeT]

@ Stephanie: Wow I just have to say that's an awesome career because I have heard about how competitive getting into the nurse anesthetist program can be. Good luck to you with that. You're basically almost full time then...congrats! Yes its definitely going to be tough but I just can't wait any longer. I've been waiting for such a long time and kept postponing it because of where I was (for undergrad and below I was living in Florida which is where my conservative parents live) and financial reasons I couldn't support myself and transition by myself without any resources. Now that I am independent and live pretty much on loans I figure that I'm going to be in debt regardless so there's no point pushing my transition further back ( I know I'm going to have to pay everything back with interest but I would rather do all of that as a girl). Plus the younger I start the better. This is my first year in school and if I wait 4 years to start during my residency then I'll have lost all that time and it might take longer for the hormones to affect my appearance. Thanks Stephanie for your advice and well wishes!

@ Renee: I don't know if that's only for MD and DO physicians or all medical professions. I'll look further into it.

@ Stacy: Working in the army and transitioning seems tough. So I wish you all the best.

@ Kelly: You're helping to save so many lives with your research...that's a real hero!

Serena, it is open to all health professionals, including podiatrists. And vets - lorileah?. In fact, I attended the GLMA annual meeting in San Francisco in September and met two veterinarians ( i also had a fantastic time with Badtranny and AllieSF). I am on the membership committee and would be happy to share more info with you if you would like. PM me if you want to talk

[Ciel]

I work as a staff nurse in the operating theatres (anaesthetics). I am transitioning and out everywhere BUT work. it seems unimportant to me at this time to divulge such info to work colleagues and superiors, but i know i have to do it within the next few years. I think people at work know or have an idea of it - i can't hide my hair or my figure when changing into scrubs... its just that nobody talks about it as it poses no problem with my duties and responsibilities.

[Traci Elizabeth]

I am not in the medical profession but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once.

[MillaMarie]

Hi Serena -
I'm a busy ED Physician & identify as Genderqueer, mostly tagged as female, but totally happy either way. I'm out at work & have found administration usually tolerant, but it does really help to demonstrate superior skills & exceptional kindness to patients. To be honest acceptance can be variable, much more likely in urban settings than rural areas. I really have a lot of information about my experiences. Just like any GG I wear women's scrubs, minimal makeup & often keep my long hair in a ponytail, work is no place to do Glam, it's about taking excellent care of our patients...
Friend me on Facebook or you can do private conversation here (I'm just not as fluent as on FB)