LGBTQ Reducing Disparities Project Survey
Please take a few minutes to take this survey that support a groundbreaking, community-based research project that will document the inequalities and discrimination faced by LGBTQ people which negatively effect mental wellness. The resulting report to the California Department of Mental Health will include recommendations for eliminating the disparities LGBTQ people experience. This historic report will be shared with LGBTQ communities in the spring of 2012 and disseminated to health and human service providers throughout the state.
Link to the survey: http://tinyurl.com/LGBTReducingDisparities
Save Lyon-Martin Launches "30 Days of Health" Campaign
Live better during the month of September and support Lyon-Martin Health Services. Join us in our campaign to improve the well-being of yourself and those around you!
The task is simple: do something good for yourself in September and make a promise to do it all month! Share this promise with your friends and family and ask them to sponsor you for a healthier lifestyle.
What would make you happier and healthier?
- Volunteer at a local organization
- Quit or cut back on smoking
- Bike to work everyday
- Learn a new hobby
You get the idea - choose an activity that promotes your health and the health of your community and join us in doing it for 30 Days. Our goal is to raise $150,000 by making these healthy choices and we need your help!
Click here [www.firstgiving.com/lyonmartin] to set up a simple fundraising page and start sharing it with your friends and family today!
We even encourage you to start a team and recruit people to join you in your "30 Days of Health". Setting up a page is easy and spreading the word is even easier!
We hope you join us for 30 days of healthy choices!
Wishing good health to all,
Save Lyon-Martin
July 26, 2011
An Open Letter to the Lyon-Martin Health Services Community
From: Marj Plumb, DrPH, Current Board Chair
This is my update to those of you who have expressed concern and support to Lyon-Martin Health Services. Many, many thanks to you all.
As you may know, Lyon-Martin's board of directors had planned to immediately close the clinic in January of 2011 as they noted the clinic had accrued over one million dollars of debt (including unpaid payroll taxes). Mostly through the ingenious creativity and hard-work of a self-organized group of community activists and patients, calling themselves "Save Lyon- Martin", an outpouring of community support led to $350,000 in donations in three months. While these funds have been vital, they are just the beginning steps along a lengthier path to sustainability.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Board Leadership
On March 23, 2011 I became the first new board member after the announcement of the significant debt; at that meeting I was also elected Board Chair. Since that time the staff and Board and I have focused on the complex task of assessing a damaged clinic, and trying to rebuild it. At the same time we continue to serve clients without interruption.
All of the board members who were in office during the accrual of debt have resigned. This is significant. It allows us to rebuild the board with new energy. As a Federally Qualified Health Center we are required to have nine board members, with up to half being clients. In addition to myself, we have four new board members: Pike Long, Cheryl Simas, Melyssa Mendoza, and Kate Sorensen. We are looking for at least 4 additional new board members and we would appreciate your guidance with nominations.
Executive Leadership
We are most fortunate to have the dedicated leadership of Dawn Harbatkin, MD, who has served as Medical Director since 2006. Dawn recently agreed to shoulder the responsibilities of the Interim Executive Director position during our transition. Most importantly, and to the credit of Dawn and all the LHMS healthcare providers, the quality of patient care has never been in question. However, from January to May, as the previous board considered the future of the clinic, staff positions were left vacant and the remaining staff had to double their workloads. All the remaining staff, volunteers, the Director of Operations Elizabeth Sekera, RN, and Dawn deserves our deepest gratitude for their tireless service. Please keep an eye on the LMHS website for job postings throughout the rebuilding process and pass this information along to your friends and colleagues.
Probation Status
Since 1982, LMHS has been a proud founding member of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium (SFCCC). We are responsible to SFCCC for meeting certain federal requirements for community clinics. The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) also plays a role in overseeing healthcare services provided by clinics such as ours.
In recognition of the essential services offered at Lyon-Martin and our ability to provide a "medical home" for patients who would otherwise not have one, both the SFCCC and SFDPH have, since the crisis was announced, given hundreds of hours of compassionate oversight to our clinic to ensure that we move forward and continue to serve our patients. While we still have to meet many requirements in order to re-establish the clinic in good standing, we are working diligently to meet those requirements with the continued guidance of both the SFCCC and SFDPH.
In addition, the community group, Save Lyon-Martin, is more then just an exceptional fundraising group. Their Business Development Committee has been meeting with Lyon-Martin staff to conduct a thorough review of all clinic administrative and patient care systems to identify and address any deficiencies.
Finances
Although Lyon-Martin has never received so much money from donations so quickly (the first quarter achievement of $350K!!!), we still face a dire need. As you can imagine, the financial cost of rebuilding the clinic is itself a tremendous strain. Added to that is the fact that there are no cash reserves. This is THE challenge as we face the repayment of debt in the next couple of months.
We have completed a Financial Recovery Plan and Cash Flow Analysis that will only be actualized if the level of support generated from the first months of 2011 can be repeated by the end of 2011. We are rebuilding as prudently and cautiously as possible, but you do have to spend money to run a clinic!
Fundraising goal: $350,000 by December 31, 2011
Raising another $350,000 by the end of 2011 is a tall order, and it's one that we simply must achieve. I'll never forget a fundraising workshop from a couple of decades ago when the trainer said, "No one wants to give the 'last' donation to an organization." That phrase has haunted me since taking over board leadership three months ago. Can I promise you that we will not close after you give or give again? No, I cannot. So I will ask you what I've asked myself: can I live with myself if I don't try?
I can assure you that never in my 30 years of working in the nonprofit sector have I collaborated with such a committed, smart, hard working and compassionate group of people. If the clinic can be saved, it will be because of them ... and you.
We are planning several fundraising campaigns for the fourth quarter of 2011 and will be back in touch with you as our plans develop. You can expect my email, letter, or call and I hope that you dig deep and contribute a "stretch" gift for Lyon-Martin Health Services and the clients we serve. Your donation will keep the clinic open and honor the community members, as well as the staff, who have been doing the impossible since the beginning of the year.
If you would like to make a gift but cannot participate in any of our activities, please visit our website's donation page.
So why, might you ask, are we doing this?
Lyon-Martin Health Services (LMHS) has a 30-year history of providing culturally competent healthcare in a sensitive and caring environment. As you know, Lyon-Martin began as the only clinic in the world specifically caring for lesbians. The clinic has evolved to now serve a unique blend of 2500 underserved women, lesbians, and transgender patients. It is a nationally recognized model for serving our communities and is a sought after training site for healthcare professionals; and true to our historical beginnings, it is a clinic of last resort for patients who don't "fit" anywhere else. This isn't a question of "maybe we don't need the clinic anymore"; it's a question of "how could we let a unique clinic, with such a significant place in our history, that is addressing such a compelling patient population, be lost."
We ask you to consider Lyon-Martin as the embodiment of core feminist values: creating a just and equitable world. We deliver the highest quality healthcare to the most marginalized within our community.
Please join us as we work to preserve this unique medical home. I will continue to keep you informed with our progress. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Lyon-Martin Health Services. I'm always available atmarj@marjplumb.com or 510-928-1959.
With many thanks for your past support ... and in hopes of our future together,
Marj Plumb
Chair, Board of Directors
Lyon Martin Health Services
LYON MARTIN BOARD WELCOMES NEW CHAIR, MARJ PLUMB
SAN FRANCISCO — March 28th, 2011 — Lyon-Martin Health Services announced today that nonprofit veteran Marj Plumb has been elected new Board Chair. "Words cannot express how thrilled we are to see Marj join Lyon-Martin's board and take its helm," said Lauren Winter, who readily resigned as board chair at last week's meeting. "She has tremendous energy and a fresh sense of optimism. Those are the exact qualities needed to lead the clinic through this critical juncture."
Plumb, who was Lyon-Martin's Executive Director between 1989 and 1993, has been a non-profit consultant and trainer for the past thirteen years specializing in organizational development, leadership development, public policy, and community-based participatory research. Before starting her consulting practice she served for over twenty-five years in senior management positions with a variety of non-profit organizations working on health, economic development, environmental justice, violence prevention, and social justice/civil rights. Plumb received a master's degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Francisco and a doctorate in public health from the University of California, Berkeley.
"I have been inspired and energized by the amazing power of the community in working to save Lyon-Martin," Plumb said. "I simply couldn't sit by; I had to participate in this meaningful way. I am committed to working with the community, public health leaders, and staff to help bring Lyon-Martin out of this financial crisis and restore it to stability."
Plumb will lead a board recruitment effort to bring the Board into alignment with federal regulations, including enhancing the makeup of the Board to include community members, especially those with expertise in fundraising, communications, and financial management. Increasing the membership will allow current members to rotate off the Board.
"I am honored to help usher in a new era for Lyon-Martin—with major improvements in transparency, accountability, and financial stability," added Plumb. "At the same time, I recognize the sitting board's considerable efforts after learning the true extent of its financial woes. I am interested in building upon their efforts, not criticizing their choices, and I ask the community to join me wholeheartedly in that respect."
Lyon-Martin's primary goal is achieving financial stability. "I believe strongly that today's infusion of fresh leadership is the catalyst for re-energizing our fundraising efforts. It will enable us to reach our goal." said Interim Executive Director Eric Fimbres. Lyon-Martin must be able to manage its debt while at the same time continuing to provide services. The fundraising goal of $200,000 in new funds by the end of April will help stabilize Lyon-Martin through 2011 by allowing us to manage a projected cash deficit through the end of 2011, and implement new strategies towards achieving stability before the second quarter of 2012. Over $53,000 has been raised toward the clinic's April 30th milestone.
In addition to raising this new immediate capital, Lyon-Martin must consider substantial changes to the clinic's business model. "I am hopeful the community, public health and city leadership, foundations and corporations will enthusiastically support Lyon-Martin as we consider how best to safeguard the clinic's growth and future while keeping true to what Lyon-Martin does best - respectful, compassionate and competent healthcare," Plumb said. The clinic's leadership team will be working closely with a community-led task force as it considers the available options.
"Community clinics all over the City are struggling," added Lyon-Martin's Medical Director, Dawn Harbatkin, M.D. "Planned Parenthood, Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics, and New Leaf all found themselves in very difficult financial positions. Haight-Ashbury remains open through a merger with Walden House, but Planned Parenthood Golden Gate and New Leaf have closed. I remain hopeful that Lyon-Martin Health Services will not be the third clinic on that list."
The wildly successful fundraising of the past two months continues with events organized almost entirely by community members. Those who have fundraising ideas are encouraged to host events or fund drives, recruit friends, family and coworkers to the cause, check with employers for matching gift funds and to contact Save Lyon-Martin community group (www.savelyonmartin.org) for help in implementing their ideas.
Lyon-Martin Health Services Appoints Interim Executive Director
November 16, 2010 - San Francisco, CA -The Board of Directors announced today that Dawn Harbatkin, MD, Lyon-Martin's Medical Director, has been appointed Interim Director, while the Board engages in a nationwide search for the next Executive Director. Former Executive Director Teri McGinnis resigned yesterday.
During Ms. McGinnis' 6 years with the organization, Lyon-Martin grew tremendously and received multiple accolades for its ground-breaking and innovative programs and services. "I loved my time at Lyon-Martin," said Ms. McGinnis. "I am so proud of the work of the clinic. No where else have I seen an organization put its mission into action every day. While I'm excited to move on to new opportunities, I will miss the staff and the patients very much."
"Teri is an incredible leader," said Lauren Winter, President of Lyon-Martin's Board of Directors. "She was deeply committed to the organization and made a real difference. We wish her the best."
As the incoming Interim Director, Dr. Harbatkin's depth of experience, history with the organization and leadership in the nonprofit arena will serve the organization well during the transition period. Dr. Harbatkin has been with Lyon-Martin since January 2006 and served as the organization's Medical/Executive Director from May 2006 through May 2008. Prior to her work at Lyon-Martin, she spent five years as the Medical Director for Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City, a federally qualified health center serving the LGBT Community.
"I have been honored to be a part of the accomplishments the clinic has achieved during the past few years and am confident that we will continue to provide the unique services that only Lyon-Martin offers to our community," said Dr. Harbatkin. "While these are challenging financial times for all non-profits and community clinics, this transition offers an exciting opportunity to bring in a new leader who can invigorate community support and address the changing face of health care and role of community clinics within it."
PASSIONATE PHYSICIAN JOINS LYON-MARTIN CLINIC
Dr. Michelle Orengo-McFarlan Committed to Providing "the best health care"
Lyon-Martin Health Services [LMHS] announces the appointment of Dr. Michelle Orengo-McFarlane as Primary Care Physician for the clinic. Dr. Orengo-McFarlane completed her residency at University of California San Francisco where she provided family-oriented primary care and urgent care to multi-lingual, multi-ethnic seniors, children, adolescents and prenatal patients. While working with San Francisco General Hospital she supervised medical students and interns, earning a reputation for compassion, attention to detail and quality care.Her experience in LGBT-oriented healthcare settings includes the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia and the Tom Waddell Health Center's transgender clinic.
Passionate about community service, Dr. Orengo-McFarlane spearheaded a community assessment of the Samoan community in Visitation Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, and designed a collaborative and culturally competent health education curriculum for this community.
The vibrant and enthusiastic Dr. McFarlane embraces the Lyon-Martin mission of providing culturally competent Health Care services to women and transgender patients who often feel unwelcome, underserved or unsafe in traditional medical environments. "The best health care is only possible when physicians are sensitive and caring about each individual's life', says Dr. Orengo-McFarlane. " Lyon-Martin provides a safe place for queer and trans patients to be entirely out about themselves, and therefore, as a physician, I am in a trusted position to really see them, and attend to their medical needs with sensitivity and cutting edge medical practices. This is a rare and special opportunity for me to make a difference. That is exciting!"
"Every now and then a rare individual shows a passion for working with women as well as the queer and trans community", say Dr. Dawn Harbatkin, LMHS Medical Director. "I have no doubt that Lyon-Martin patients will welcome her skill and kindness as she delivers outstanding care to each of them. "
"Lyon-Martin is a Godsend"
Health Clinic delivers free HIV testing and breast/chest exams
to SF Pride participants
Lyon-Martin Health Services (LMHS), the only clinic focusing on the health needs of San Francisco lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, brought free rapid HIV testing and Clinical Breast/Chest exams to San Francisco Pride weekend. 29 HIV tests and 28 Breast/Chest Exams were performed at Trans March and 76 Breast/Chest Exams were performed at the Dyke March.
"Having breast exams available at an event such as this ( Dyke March) really reminds us all that we have no excuse not to take care of ourselves. The Lyon-Martin clinic is a godsend", said a woman named Jill. " Even though they said it was free, I was happy to donate $20, especially since they found out I am healthy."
"We're proud to bring our services into the community", says Elizabeth Sekera, Clinic Director. " The health of our LBT sisters and brothers is our passion".
Lyon-Martin has been providing these services free of charge for decades. The Susan B. Komen Foundation and To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation have been strong supporters of such services, seeing the outreach to transgender and lesbian patients as critical for health care.
Lyon-Martin Appoints New Behavioral Health Director
Lisette Lahana, LCSW Joins LMHS Medical Staff
Lyon-Martin Health Services enthusiastically welcomes Lisette R. Lahana, LCSW, in her new appointment as Behavioral Health Director. Ms. Lahana will assume responsibility for all Integrated Behavioral Health Services and have supervisory responsibility for a team of Psychiatrists, Social Workers and Interns. Her appointment to Lyon-Martin signals a significant commitment that Lyon-Martin has to the holistic health and well being of the clinic's women and transgender patients.
Ms. Lahana comes to Lyon-Martin after an impressive tenure with Kaiser Permanente Adult Psychiatry Department in Hayward where she provided psychotherapy and case management for Spanish and English speaking patients. She designed and led group therapy programs for LGBT and Bipolar patients as well as trauma survivors. She spearheaded the creation of transgender mental health services including a group program for trans patients, their significant others and family members.
Prior to working at Kaiser Permanente, Ms. Lahana was in private practice welcoming the LGBT community with a primary focus on gender variant clients. Her long term dedication to serving LGBT clients offers an invaluable asset to the Lyon Health care team in furthering their mission to those who feel underserved, unwelcome or unsafe in traditional medical environments. .
Ms. Lahana is a graduate of UC San Diego where she double majored in Psychology and Critical Gender Studies. She earned a Masters in Social Work from Smith College, completing her thesis on "Rejection and Resistance: The experience of bisexual women in lesbian communities". Her vast knowledge of group dynamics, Gender Identity, Sexuality and Transgender issues will offer Lyon-Martin patients caring and experienced mental health services.
One of her proudest accomplishments was founding the New England Gender Conference for Therapists and Health Care Providers in 2007.
"I am excited to be joining Lyon-Martin. It's an amazing opportunity to work at a Health Center with a mission unlike any other in the US", says the dynamic Lisette. "I've always felt it was most rewarding to serve communities that are misunderstood and underrepresented. This is a unique opportunity to provide direct service to women and trans people in the clinic, as well as educate locally and regionally with Project HEALTH."
Ms. Lahana will join Lyon-Martin as full time Behavioral Director in July 2010.
"We are most fortunate to have Lisette joining Lyon-Martin", says Dr. Dawn Harbatkin, Medical Director. " A woman of her caliber who is passionate about the LBT community is a rare find. We're thrilled she is joining us."
Lyon-Martin Health Services Given Breast Cancer Screening Grant
To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation has granted San Francisco's Lyon-Martin Health Services $10,000 for breast cancer screening and outreach. The grant enables Lyon-Martin to provide screening mammograms and diagnostic imaging for women and transgender patients who might otherwise be unable to access such vital care.
Additionally, the grant enables Lyon-Martin to once again offer free clinical breast exams at the San Francisco Dyke March on June 26, 2010 in Dolores Park.
Lyon-Martin Executive Director Teri McGinnis thanked To Celebrate Life at their grant recipients' reception: "These funds allow us to [provide] essential services to people who have been impacted by the recent cuts in California's funding for Breast Cancer Diagnostic Screening. Thank you for allowing us to be partners in saving lives."
To Celebrate Life is a Marin County volunteer-based organization formed to increase awareness of breast cancer, to raise funds for those living with breast cancer and to offer healing opportunities to women and men living with breast cancer throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Lyon-Martin Health Services Receives
Kaiser Permanente Community Giving Grant
$5K donation makes "a world of difference"
Lyon-Martin Health Services (LMHS), the only clinic focusing on the health needs of San Francisco lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, has received a $5K Kaiser Permanente Community Giving grant, intended to help make local communities better places to work and live.
Randy Wittorp, Kaiser Permanente Public Affairs Director, San Francisco Service Area indicated KP is extremely pleased the donation went to LMHS. He said, "Lyon-Martin's delivery of personalized health care and support services to women and transgender people lacking access to quality care is consistent with Kaiser Permanente's mission. Like Lyon-Martin, we are also here to serve the community."
"Once again, we are impressed by Kaiser's generosity and commitment to Lyon-Martin," said Lyon-Martin Medical Director Dr. Dawn Harbatkin. "In these increasingly hard economic times, so many have lost all their health care benefits. Our services are in more demand than ever. This donation makes a world of difference to us and our patients."
Lyon-Martin Health Services Offers FREE Rapid Testing
Primary Care Requirement Waived; All Women and Transgender People Welcome
On December 1, 2009, Lyon-Martin Health Service (LMHS) will offer FREE Rapid Results Testing to women and transgender San Francisco residents. No appointment is necessary. Tests will be given on a first-come first-served basis at the LMHS clinic located at 1748 Market Street.
Free testing is also available by appointment, at any time, by calling 415.565.7667.
To acknowledge the ongoing epidemic and continuing high rate of new infections especially among women and transgender people, Lyon-Martin will be expanding its HIV Counseling and Rapid Testing program. Previously, a person needed to be established in primary care before being eligible for rapid testing. Starting Dec 1, LMHS is making this service available through our clinic to the community at large.
As per Lyon-Martin's mission to serve women and transgender people, someone wishing to get tested must identify in this way. People tested that day will also have priority in establishing primary care at Lyon-Martin, regardless of their test results or status. In the future, counseling and testing will be by appointment only.
Lyon-Martin Health Services Receives National and Local Grants To Improve Transgender Healthcare
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Community Clinics Initiative Award Funding For Project HEALTH: Harnessing Education, Advocacy & Leadership for Transgender Health
 San Francisco, California - Lyon-Martin Health Services has earned a four-year, $450,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation matching grant to help fund Project HEALTH: Harnessing Education, Advocacy & Leadership for Transgender Health. Local funding partners providing the first year's matching dollars include the Community Clinics Initiative, a joint project of Tides Foundation and the California Endowment.
"Transgender people often face consequential barriers to accessing healthcare," says Dawn Harbatkin, MD, Lyon-Martin's Medical Director and Project HEALTH Director. "Many healthcare providers are eager to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all, yet have not had the opportunity to access information about the needs and experiences of this marginalized community. To provide comprehensive care, providers need trans-specific medical information such as knowledge about hormone therapies and post-surgical care."
Jane Stafford, Director of the Community Clinics Initiative, notes, "Trans people often experience frustration or discrimination from the waiting room to the exam room. For example, common patient history and intake forms are often not inclusive." Stafford continues, "We are pleased to support this collaboration between the Transgender Law Center, Equality California and Lyon-Martin Health Services to facilitate culturally competent transgender healthcare in the larger San Francisco Bay Area."
Bridging that gap, Project HEALTH offers a comprehensive training program as a resource to clinics and providers seeking information. Lyon-Martin has also developed a specialized clinical rotation for third- and fourth-year medical students to provide experience in skilled, sensitive care for transgender people.
Project HEALTH works with trans communities, advocates, and clinical providers to disseminate healthcare provider education and patient advocacy by four main methods:
- Partner with clinics who want to improve their medical services for transgender patients and assist in implementing those changes over the course of a year. Partnerships are under way with community clinics in multiple counties.
- Provide trainings to community members and service providers on patient rights, insurance advocacy and culturally competent care.
- Convene a Community Advisory Panel of trans patients and community members to build trans community leadership.
- Deepen participation in California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network, an advocacy coalition educating state policymakers on LGBTQ health needs.
Project HEALTH aims to ensure that transgender individuals feel invited and well cared for at a clinic close to their homes. Project HEALTH is proud to bring together transgender communities and their healthcare workers — building trust and ensuring the respectful care that trans people need and deserve.
About our Funding Partners
About Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and healthcare issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and healthcare of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and healthcare of those it serves. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
About Community Clinics Initiative
The Community Clinics Initiative (CCI), a unique collaboration between Tides Foundation and The California Endowment, provides resources, evidence-based programming and evaluation, education and training to support community health centers and clinics. Through information sharing and major grants, CCI acts as a catalyst to strengthen California's community clinics and health centers to improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
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