Himmelfarb Library has an extensive collection of online books, journal articles, and multimedia materials. These resources can be accessed from both on- and off-campus locations. To ensure consistent access to e-resources from off-campus locations, a durable link may be required. Durable links provide consistent access to electronic journals, articles, books and other materials by ensuring that GW users are recognized and can access library collections. If you are a faculty member preparing for the start of a new semester, Himmelfarb Library’s Durable Link Service can assist you with embedding durable links into your syllabus and other course materials which will provide your students with reliable access to course materials.
Durable links are URLs that directly connect users with Himmelfarb Library’s electronic resources. These links are reliable and allow faculty members to share resources with students and avoid copyright violations.
There are four ways to create durable links:
Attach a proxy prefix
Use a permalink
Link by PMID, DOI, ISBN or ISSN
Link to databases
You can attach a proxy prefix to a resource’s URL which will route the link through GW’s systems and authenticate users as needed. Himmelfarb’s proxy prefix quick tool will automatically generate a link with the required proxy prefix. The tool also allows you to test the link prior to adding it to your syllabus or Blackboard course so you are confident that the URL works.
Himmelfarb’s catalog records have an option to create a permalink for a resource. Search for the resource in the catalog and select the ‘Permalink’ button under ‘Send to.’
This option will direct your students to the resource in the catalog where they can open the item’s full text. Databases such as EBSCO, Ovid and Proquest also have ‘Permalink’ features that can be given to students.
Last, you may link directly to databases. Visit the A-Z List: Databases page, search for the specific database and click the connected dots symbol to the right. A small window will open with a durable link which will connect users to the database’s homepage.
If you have questions about durable links or if you would like assistance with creating links, Himmelfarb Library is here to help! Our Linking to Electronic Resources: Creating Durable Links guide provides examples and additional information about durable links. Additionally, library staff members will check for broken links, generate new links and embed them onto your syllabus or Blackboard course. Send your syllabus or question to himmelfarb@gwu.edu and a staff member will provide more information.
It has been over a year since the Supreme Court issued its decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The Dobbs decision overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade opinion and determined that the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and returned the authority to regulate abortion to individual states. Currently, 15 states have laws that prevent access to abortion and 11 other states impose a gestational limit on abortion care. (Abortion Policy Tracker, 2023) Due to the patchwork of state laws and local ordinances that cover abortions, individuals with reproductive healthcare needs may encounter difficulties when searching for the best care or they may face barriers in accessing information about abortion. These barriers impact an individual’s overall health and can feed into our larger understanding and acceptance of abortion, reproductive health and reproductive justice.
Researchers created the term ‘abortion stigma’ to explain how the silence and wariness around discussing abortion impacts individuals, healthcare providers, activists and others. Barbara Alvarez writes “When people can’t access credible health information, they can’t make the best decisions for their mental and physical wellbeing. That’s why the World Health Organization (WHO) includes information access as one of its three cornerstones for comprehensive abortion care.” (Alvarez, 2022, para. 1) Dismantling ‘abortion stigma’ is not only a healthcare concern, but also an information access concern that healthcare and information professionals should address.
Kumar, Hessini & Mitchell define abortion stigma “as a negative attribute ascribed to women who seek to terminate pregnancy that makes them, internally or externally, as inferior to ideals of womanhood.” (Kumar, Hessini & Mitchell, 2009, pg. 628) The authors also note that abortion stigma “is a social phenomenon that is constructed and reproduced locally through various pathways.” (Kumar, Hessini & Mitchell, 2009, pg. 628) Norris et al. expands this definition so that it includes others who are impacted by this form of stigma. “Secrecy and disclosure of abortion often pertain to women who have had abortions, but may also apply to other groups–including abortion providers, partners of women who have had abortions, and others–who must also manage information about their relationship to abortion.” (Norris et al., 2011, pg. S50)
There are layers to abortion stigma and how it appears in people’s lives. For example, Norris et al. note that “Legal restrictions (e.g., parental consent requirements, gestational limits, waiting periods, and mandated ultrasound viewing) in the United States make it more difficult for women to obtain abortions and reinforce the notion that abortion is morally wrong.” (Norris et al., 2011, pg. S51) Abortion stigma may prevent healthcare professionals from pursuing coursework or a career in abortion care or this stigma may have a negative impact on the health of the provider. “Physicians who are trained to but do not provide abortions describe explicit and subtle practice restrictions and fear of repercussions from colleagues.” (Norris et al., 2011, pg. S51) Information specialists, such as librarians and other library professionals, may also hesitate to include information about abortion in their institutions’ collection because the inclusion of these resources may be challenged. Or, they may be unaware of the need for abortion resources as abortion stigma and library anxiety compounds and prevents patrons from seeking assistance from librarians or other staff members. “I received feedback from librarians that described the post-Dobbs landscape: they replied that patrons may have “fear and uncertainty of how to protect [themselves] if [they] are seeking abortions services.”” (Alvarez, 2023, para. 3)
Without reliable access to accurate information, people cannot make informed decisions about their health. This information is also important because it challenges the negative connotations associated with abortion or other stigmatized procedures. Norris et al. proposed that normalizing abortion as a solution to dismantling this stigma: “We should engage popular media, including popular entertainment, in the effort to remind people that abortion is common and usual.” (Norris et al., 2011, pg. S53) One way of doing this is by eliminating restrictions in information access and affirming the basic right to information and intellectual freedom. “...although there are many ways to approach intellectual freedom in libraries, there is often a common theme of human dignity that appears either explicitly or between-the-lines…all of these perspectives rely on the autonomy of each patron and their ability to exercise that autonomy.” (Childs, 2017, pg. 65)
If you wish to participate in the dismantling of abortion stigma, organizations such as the Guttmacher Institute, SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, KFF provide resources on abortion, current legislation and other key pieces of information. These organizations will equip you with information to navigate conversations on abortion and reproductive justice.
Additionally, if you are interested in learning more about intellectual freedom and would like to assist library professionals with building inclusive collections, the American Library Association (ALA) has dedicated resources available. Their Intellectual Freedom: Issues and Resources page is an excellent starting point. Or, you can learn how to support library workers as they work to ensure intellectual freedom within their institutions by visiting the ALA’s Fight Censorship page.
Finally, Himmelfarb Library has materials on reproductive health and reproductive justice. For assistance answering specific questions or finding resources, use our Ask a Librarian service to speak with a reference specialist who can connect you with resources.
Dismantling abortion stigma requires a collaboration between healthcare and information professionals. If people are required to make decisions about their reproductive health, they must have access to information without undue restrictions. By working together to address this stigma, healthcare and information professionals can empower people to make informed decisions.
Childs, L. (2017). To Uphold and Resist: Protecting Intellectual Freedom through Progressive Librarianship. The Serials Librarian, 73(1), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/0361526X.2016.1270248
Kumar, A., Hessini, L., & Mitchell, E. M. H. (2009). Conceptualising abortion stigma. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 11(6), 625–639. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050902842741
Norris, A., Bessett, D., Steinberg, J. R., Kavanaugh, M. L., De Zordo, S., & Becker, D. (2011). Abortion Stigma: A Reconceptualization of Constituents, Causes, and Consequences. Women’s Health Issues, 21(3), S49–S54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2011.02.010
On June 19, 1865 Union General Gordon Granger along with a band of soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, one of the furthest corners of the former Confederacy. The general informed the enslaved people in town that by order of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was no longer legal within Confederate territories and that they were now free. The following year, on June 19, 1866 the freed people of Galveston organized a celebration to commemorate the ending of slavery within the United States. This event eventually became one of the most important holidays for African-Americans across the country.
Known as ‘Freedom Day,’ ‘Emancipation Day,’ or most commonly as ‘Juneteenth’, June 19th marked a significant moment in American history and within the African-American community. With the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the ratification of the 13th Amendment near the end of 1865, the institution of slavery was formally ended in the United States. In Texas and other Southern states, Juneteenth became an annual celebration as freed African-Americans shared meals, read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud, registered new voters, and shared their visions for the development of the community.
During the Great Migration, a period in the 1900s when many Southern African-Americans moved to the Northeast, Midwest or West, the tradition of Juneteenth celebrations was spread to other parts of the country. For decades, Juneteenth was only recognized and celebrated by African-Americans, but with time, the community began to advocate for state and federal governments to honor the day. In 1979, Texas officially declared Juneteenth an official holiday, making it the first state to recognize the date. Since then, more and more states have recognized Juneteenth in some official capacity. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act which designated Juneteenth as a federal holiday, making it the 11th federally recognized holiday.
While Galveston, Texas remains a central location for Juneteenth celebrations, other cities such as Atlanta, Georgia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. also hold events that hundreds or thousands of people attend each year. Events still feature food and music, but some cities also host Juneteenth pageants, rodeos, and lectures that all showcase the rich culture of the community.
If you are interested in honoring Juneteenth, Monday, June 19th is the last day to see the Emancipation Proclamation and General Granger’s General Order No. 3 on display at the National Archives museum! The museum is open from 10:00 AM through 5:30 PM and there is no entry fee. There will also be a free community event at the Black Lives Matter Plaza on June 19th. The event starts at noon and will feature music, games, a kid zone, and other activities. Last, the National Museum of African American History & Culture curated a ‘Juneteenth Reading List’ filled with fictional, historical, biographical, and autobiographical texts to help people learn more about Juneteenth and the period after slavery.
Juneteenth is considered one of the oldest celebrations within the African-American community. It marked the beginning of freedom and self-actualization for formerly enslaved people. Even today, families spend time reflecting on the legacy of slavery and the continual fight for civil rights. To hear a personal anecdote about the importance of Juneteenth, please watch this short video from GW Associate Professor Imani Cheers:
Hume, J. & Arceneaux, N. (2008). Public Memory, Cultural Legacy, and Press Coverage of the Juneteenth Revival. Journalism History, 34(3), 155-162. https://doi.org/10.1080/00947679.2008.12062768
In the United States, June is designated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in recognition of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Greenwich Village. For many activists and historians, the 1969 uprising represented a turning point in LGTBQ+ history and activism. While LGTBQ+ people have more legal and social rights in the aftermath of Stonewall, organizations, communities and activists within the United States and around the world continue to push for protections that ensure LGBTQ+ people can live freely.
Recently, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released a ‘State of Emergency’ for LGBTQ+ people living in the United States. In their release the organization said “The sharp rise in anti-LGBTQ+ measures has spawned a dizzying patchwork of discriminatory state laws that have created increasingly hostile and dangerous environments for LGBTQ+ people…” (Human Rights Campaign, 2023)
Despite the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, people embrace June as a month reserved for celebration and community. As journalist Erin Reed wrote, “We carry forward a potent legacy, one of not merely surviving but flourishing even in the margins where we’ve been relegated. We return, time and time again, stronger than ever before…The essence of queer joy is resistance in its own right, and the reverberations of the Stonewall resistance continue to echo in our celebrations today.” (Reed, 2023)
There are many ways to celebrate Pride month! Whether it is reading a book centering LGBTQ+ narratives, attending a local Pride event or watching a documentary, the following list serves as a starting point for celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community this month and all year long!
Reading books written by LGBTQ+ authors or that feature LGBTQ+ characters is an excellent way to celebrate Pride and feel connected to the community. They are a plethora of books that span genres. If you’re not sure where to begin, consider turning to sources such as the Lambda Literary Awards or the Stonewall Book Awards lists that have recognized LGBTQ fiction and non-fiction for years. Or start with some of the following titles:
For additional community building, consider organizing a book club with your peers. You can select one title to read together and hold a discussion. Or each member of the book club can commit to reading a different book that was written by an LGTBQ+ author and make their pitch as to why the other members should read it as well!
Documentaries:
Watching documentaries is another way to celebrate Pride this year! Similar to the book club suggestion, you can hold a documentary watch party and discussion to share any insights you have after viewing the film. Some titles that may be worth watching include Paris is Burning an intimate look at New York City’s drag and ballroom culture in the 1980s; A Secret Love a film about Terry Donahue, Pat Henschel and their decades long love story; Disclosure that explores the depiction of transgender people in cinema; or United in Anger: A History of ACT UP which looks at the rise of the AIDS activist movement.
Washington D.C. and the surrounding area is home to an active and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Each June the city is nearly bursting with activities to meet new people, learn about the history of Pride or celebrate with your friends. The most popular event is the annual Capital Pride parade and festival which took place this past weekend. But there are still numerous opportunities to celebrate Pride in the area.
If you are interested in organizing an event at George Washington University, Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is open to partnering with student, resident or faculty groups! Please contact the committee’s current chair, Rachel Brill at rgbrill@gwu.edu for more information!
Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an active ally, Pride month is a time to connect with our loved ones and celebrate strides gained through activism. It is also a month where we recognize the many contributions the community has made to our contemporary culture. No matter how you decide to celebrate Pride, what is most important is that we collectively work to build a world where people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or gender expression can live as their most authentic selves!
Health care personnel have assisted military units for centuries, both in unofficial capacities and as recognized members of the armed forces. Whether they were actively treating injured soldiers on the frontline or performing complex surgeries in military hospitals, physicians, surgeons, nurses and other health professionals worked alongside soldiers and commanders to ensure that the injured were properly treated.
Prior to the 19th and 20th centuries, healthcare treatment within the military was largely decentralized and relied on inaccurate information on wound treatment and patient care management. But as more advanced weapons and military tactics were introduced, countries and military leaders invested in their healthcare infrastructure which led to lower mortality rates and the decrease of widespread infection within military camps. Many of the inventions introduced during conflicts such as the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War and the World Wars have been carefully refined and serve as the foundation for today’s current military medicine practices.
Health and medicine have been the focus of research for centuries. Many ancient historical figures and civilizations documented their theories about human anatomy, physiology, the nature of diseases and health remedies. Preserved historical texts from ancient civilizations provide us with a glimpse of some of the health treatments and theories proposed by scholars. In Homer’s The Iliad, surgeons were portrayed as “skilled and professional physicians who expertly treated wartime trauma.” (Manring et al., 2009, pg. 2173) Ancient Egyptians and Babylonian-Assyrians left behind texts and treatises that showed cultures with sophisticated and thoughtful ideas about medicine and the human body. (Van Way, 2016)
During the time of the Roman Empire, “The Roman army had organized field sanitation, well-designed camps, and separate companies of what we would now call field engineers. They had a much better grasp of sanitation and supply than anyone else before, or for a long while.” (Van Way, 2016, pg. 260) While ancient civilizations lacked the technology and scientific theories that form the foundation of modern medicine, these cultures worked to protect their injured soldiers during battle. Some civilizations, such as the Romans, understood the importance of maintaining clean environments to prevent epidemics from debilitating their armed forces. As Dr. Charles Van Way III wrote, “Because of their [The Romans] improved sanitation, their armies suffered somewhat less from the epidemics which swept military camps, but only by comparison with their opponents.” (Van Way, 2016, pg. 261)
Unfortunately, when the Roman Empire fell, their ideas on sanitation and healthcare management were lost. For years, there were few scientific advances and many physicians relied on the ancient and incorrect humoral theory or four humors theory which was first suggested by the Ancient Greeks. According to this theory, the human body consisted of four ‘humors’: black bile, yellow bile, blood and phlegm. If a person was ill, humoral theorists believed the sickness was caused by an imbalance of humors within the body, instead of pathogens or forces outside the body. While there are some critics of this theory, it was the prevailing medical belief until the 18th and 19th centuries.
With the development of the scientific method around the 17th century, empirical observations became the basis for theories; the humoral theory eventually fell out of favor and more evidence-based practices/theories took its place. This impacted military medicine as healthcare responders developed new techniques that contributed to declining mortality rates and a more sanitary wound treatment management system.
Some discoveries and resources that were developed during this time include Jean Louis Petit’s tourniquet, Pierre-Joseph Desault’s description of the debridement of wounds and the publication of three textbooks on military medicine. (Van Way, 2016, pg. 262) But it was during the Napoleonic Wars (1792-1815) where military medicine began to improve and leaders recognized the importance of a well maintained military healthcare system. Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey is seen as the originator of modern military medicine. Some of his contributions to the field include an early framework for the triage system, the “ambulance volante” or flying ambulance and the use of field hospitals that were located away from the battlefield. (Van Way, 2016; Manring et al., 2009)
Despite the recommendations created by Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey, armies still failed to create an organized healthcare system within their military. This caused controversy during some campaigns. For example, during the American Civil War (1861-1865) both the Union and Confederate armies “had physicians, but there was only a rudimentary hospital and evacuation system…Public health was terrible. Many soldiers died of disease, often even before reaching the battlefield.” (Van Way, 2016, pg. 336) This eventually led to the establishment of a military medical corps that treated the injured soldiers. And during the Crimean War (1853-1856), public outrage over the treatment of wounded British soldiers led the War Office to enlist the services of Florence Nightingale. Nightingale and her staff of volunteers focused on sanitation, ventilation and waste disposal. Because of her efforts, she “broke the monopoly of health care as the sole providence of the physician, which led to the development of the healthcare team in modern medical practice.” (Manring et al., 2009, pg. 2169)
Military medicine faced its greatest challenge during the world wars and the field continued to shape itself into the modern version that is present today. When the U.S. joined World War I (1914-1918), hospitals, doctors, nurses and ambulances accompanied the soldiers and commanders. Ambulances were used to transport the wounded from the battlefield, and from there the soldiers would be taken to a healthcare team or moved to a facility where they could recover. (Van Way, 2016) Between the wars, medical advancements were incorporated in the field of military medicine such as “Blood and plasma transfusions, widespread use of intravenous fluids, antibiotics (but limited to penicillin and sulfonamides), endotracheal intubation, thoracic and vascular surgery, and the care of burn wounds.” (Van Way, 2016, pg. 338)
Military medicine was further tested during conflicts such as the Korean War (1950-1953), the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the Gulf War (1990-1991) and the wars in Afghanistan (2001-2021) and Iraq (2003-2011). According to Manring et al’s 2009 historical review, “Trauma care for US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan currently is provided through five levels of care: Level I, front line first aid; Level II, FST (Forward Surgical Team); Level III, CSH, which is similar to civilian trauma centers; Level IV, surgical hospitals outside the combat zone…and Level V, major US military hospitals…” (Manring et al., 2009, pg. 2171)
Photo and caption via National Archives Catalog. Caption: An aerial view of a field hospital erected during Exercise WOUNDED EAGLE '83.
The path to our current military medicine field and system was windy. The field was influenced by scientific advances and historical figures such as Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey, Florence Nightingale, Dr. Walter Reed, Leonard Wood and thousands of physicians, surgeons, nurses, ambulance drivers and other professionals. If you are interested in hearing firsthand accounts from military healthcare professionals, visit the Library of Congress’ collection ‘Healing with Honor: Medical Personnel.’ The collection features personal narratives from people who served in conflicts such as World War I, the Korean War or the war in Afghanistan. ‘Healing with Honor: Medical Personnel’ is an excellent way to learn more about the field of military medicine and its commitment to the treatment of soldiers harmed during conflicts.
Summer is the perfect time to catch on your yearly reading goals! Many local libraries hold summer reading events for adults and often offer prizes to reward participants for achieving their goal. With the warm weather and extra sunlight, summer is a great time to visit a park or the beach and spend some time reading your favorite novels or trying a new selection. Are you unsure of what books to pick up or what genres to explore this summer? The staff at Himmelfarb library offered some titles and authors that may be worth exploring!
Systems Librarian JoLinda Thompson recommends Abraham Verghese’s latest novel The Covenant of Water. “I loved Cutting for Stoneso I am anxious to read this one!” When asked if there were any genres she associates with summer, she said “I like reading a series or big, epic novels like the new Verghese book.” Himmelfarb Library recently acquired a copy of The Covenant of Water and it is now available for checkout!
Metadata Specialist Brittany Smith also prefers to read series or epics during the summer. She suggests reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, the Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin or The Teixcalaan duology by Arkady Martine. If you want to add an extra layer of enjoyment to your Lord of the Rings reading experience, she suggests watching the movie after finishing the corresponding book in the series. Brittany also enjoys reading romance novels in the summer because they are typically light-hearted and can be read in a few days.
Randy Plym, our new Evening & Weekend Supervisor, suggests books by David Mitchell. Specifically Ghostwrittenor Number9Dream. “All of his books, but those in particular, are books that make me feel like the possibilities of life have opened up, which is a good feeling for summer.”
Finally, Reference & Instructional Librarian Deborah Wassertzug says that James Hannaham is an author worth reading! She says that Hannaham’s latest novel Didn’t Nobody Give A – What Happened to Carlotta “contributed to my understanding of the experience of transgender people and incarcerated/formerly incarcerated people.”
Other recommendations from our staff members include The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Finding Meby Viola Davis, The Shackby William. Paul Young, Spoiled Brats by Simon Rich, The Hikeby Drew Magary, and Assassination Vacationby Sarah Vowell! If any of these selections sound interesting to you or if you’d like to share your recommendations, please let us know in the comments! Or tag us on Facebook or Instagram and tell us what books you plan to read this summer!
Dr. Abraham Verghese is a physician, best-selling author and professor of medicine at Stanford University of Medicine. Verghese is known for work with bedside medicine and the benefits of providing patients with physical examinations. In a 2011 TEDTalk, Verghese said “Too often these days, rounds look very much like this, where the discussion is taking place in a room far away from the patient. The discussion is all about images on the computer, data. The one critical piece missing is that of the patient.” (Verghese, 2011) Verghese is also known for his creative writing career and has published two nonfiction books and two fiction novels. He believes physicians should read more than scholarly or nonfiction texts, saying “I preach to my medical students that to fully imagine their patients’ lives they must read fiction, because fiction is the great lie that tells the truth (to paraphrase Camus).” (Clarke, 2023)
Dr. Abraham Verghese was born in 1955 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to two Indian parents. His parents worked as educators in Ethiopia and he first began his medical education in the country. In an article from the New York Times, Verghese credits W. Somerset Maugham’s book Of Human Bondageas influencing his decision to become a physician:
“Somehow, when I read those words as an underachieving student in high school, it suggested to me that anyone with a curiosity and empathy for their fellow human beings and a willingness to work hard could be a good physician and be rewarded by work that has great meaning.” (Clarke, 2023)
Unfortunately, political unrest interrupted Verghese’ medical education. In the 1970s, the Ethiopian emperor and government were overthrown and a civil war broke out across the country. Verghese, along with his parents and siblings, left Ethiopia for the United States. While living in the U.S. Verghese worked as an orderly. He continued to pursue a career in medicine. He attended Madras Medical College in India and graduated in 1980. He pursued a residency program in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1983, after completing his residency, he was selected for a fellowship at Boston College School of Medicine. During his time in Boston, he witnessed the HIV outbreak that hit urban areas such as Boston and other major cities. Verghese returned to Johnson City, Tennessee and once again was face to face with the impacts of HIV/AIDS, this time in a rural setting.
When reflecting on that time, Verghese said “I first toyed with the idea of writing because I was so affected by what I witnessed as an infectious diseases specialist during the early years of the AIDS epidemic, taking care of dying men (mostly) who were my age.” (Clarke, 2023) He later wrote about his experiences in his first book My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story of A Town and Its People in the Age of AIDS.
Verghese took a break from practicing medicine and attended the Iowa Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa. He earned his Masters of Fine Arts in 1991. He served as a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. Then in 2007, Verghese moved from Texas to California to work as a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, a position he still holds.
Dr. Verghese also maintains a successful writing practice and career. Besides his first book, My Own Country, Verghese has also published The Tennis Partner: A Story of Friendship and Loss, Cutting for Stone and most recently The Covenant of Water which is an Oprah Book Club selection. The Covenant of Water has received high praise from reviewers. An NPR review stated “Ever the skillful surgeon, Verghese threads meaningful connections between macrocosmic and microcosmic details so elegantly that they are often barely noticeable at first.” (Bhatt, 2023) The reviewer also noted that “Whether describing the spice craze sweeping across Europe, Kerala’s breathtaking coastal views, the overpowering Madras evening breeze, or the lively Anglo-Indian enclaves, Verghese tends to be lyrical. But he writes with such singular detail and restrained precision that it is a pleasure to be swept along and immerse deeper.” (Bhatt, 2023) If you are interested in hearing Dr. Abraham Verghese speak or want to learn more about his latest release, please see this upcoming Politics and Prose event!
Himmelfarb’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI Committee) is pleased to announce the release of the new Antiracism in Healthcare research guide! This guide is one of many ways Himmelfarb Library is showing its commitment to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment within the library. The guide features healthcare organizations, journal collections, virtual tutorials and more to help you learn about antiracism and racial biases in healthcare. Some of the resources listed include:
Please note that some of the resources, such as ebooks and journal collections, may require GW credentials to access.
The DEI Committee envisions this guide growing over time and we are interested in community feedback and being transparent about the selection process. To show our commitment to community building and transparency, the resource selection criteria is featured on the guide’s homepage and the Committee will evaluate suggested resources based on the five listed categories and evaluation questions. Students, staff and faculty members are invited to submit resources they believe will make an excellent addition to the guide. If there is a book, documentary, podcast show/episode, online training, healthcare organization or other valuable resource that you believe should be included, please fill out the ‘Resource Suggestion Google Form’.
Additionally, if you are a member of a GWU organization and would like for your organization to be featured on the research guide or if you’re interested in partnering with the DEI Committee, please contact the current committee chair, Rachel Brill, at rgbrill@gwu.edu!
Trans and gender diverse people often report encountering many barriers to care when seeking health care services. According to researchers, some of these barriers include trans and gender diverse people being uninsured/underinsured, patients having to teach their providers about transgender health, experiencing transphobic discrimination during healthcare visits, and a general lack of healthcare providers knowledgeable about transgender health (Safer et al., 2016; Warner & Mehta, 2021). Citing the 2015 United States Transgender Survey, Warner & Mehta write that “Among the conclusions provided, 33% of respondents seen by a healthcare provider within the year prior to completing the survey reported having at least one negative experience related to their gender identity” (Warner & Mehta, 2021, pg. 3359).
Providing a safe and nonjudgmental healthcare environment is necessary when interacting with any patient. Many trans and gender diverse people report that many of the solutions are relatively simple and will improve the quality of care for everyone. In an effort to continue the discussion on supporting the trans community, particularly in healthcare settings, this article will serve as a follow-up post to our recent article International Transgender Day of Visibility, and provides tips on how to interact with trans and gender diverse patients.
Tips:
Use a patient’s personal name and pronouns: A simple way to make trans and gender diverse patients comfortable is by using their personal name and pronouns. If you are unsure of how to refer to your patients, ask what their pronouns are and how they would like to be referred to. You can also offer your name and pronouns first and offer them the opportunity to share their information. In an article in Healthline, KB Brookins also suggests providers evaluate their intake forms and include information fields such as “Legal name for insurance, chosen name/nickname, sex assigned at birth (if necessary), sex listed on insurance, pronouns, gender identity, sexual orientation (if necessary)” (Brookins, 2022). Consider leaving open fields for people to write in their responses instead of checking off a set number of boxes. Using a person’s correct pronouns and name will build trust between patients and providers and this will encourage patients to return for future appointments.
Do not ask personal questions not related to care: Trans and gender diverse people are subjected to frequent and invasive questioning about their bodies or any medical procedures they may have experienced. This form of questioning is deeply personal and can make trans and gender diverse people uncomfortable. Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall write “Many trans people encounter HCPs [healthcare providers] who ask inappropriate questions regarding their trans identity or bodies, or questions that are irrelevant to their care” (Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall, 2018, pg. 16). To avoid these uncomfortable situations, Vermeir et al. suggests that providers maintain professional boundaries and ask questions that are directly related to the reasons behind a patient’s current visit. “Participants recommended that HCPs remember that a patient’s purpose is not to satisfy one’s interest, and that even if a question is relevant to one’s care, it must be asked with sensitivity and appropriateness” (Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall, 2018, pg. 16).
Learn more about the community from multiple perspectives: Understanding the transgender community allows providers to better understand their patients’ needs and provide a high standard of care. It may seem easy to ask your patients about the history and current state of the transgender community, but some trans and gender diverse people report that they feel burdened when placed in this position. There are organizations, novels, memoirs, historical accounts, and other resources that may serve as appropriate sources of information. Resources will be listed in the ‘Reference’ section. Here is a brief selection of titles:
John Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health offers healthcare services to transgender youth and adults. Their ‘Clinician Resources’ section also offers “a variety of clinical resources from Johns Hopkins and beyond to help you provide high-quality care to patients” (John Hopkins University, 2023). These resources are an excellent way to learn from other clinicians and providers.
These tips are just a starting point for treating transgender and gender diverse patients with respect and dignity. Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall also suggest that educational organizations broaden the scope of their curriculums to include transgender health and healthcare. The authors say “...we believe that there is also a need for education organizations and regulatory bodies to incorporate this topic into their curriculums and continuing education opportunities to promote HCPs’ cultural competence including an acknowledgment of the power differentials between HCPs and trans patients” (Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall, 2018, pg. 15). Ultimately, healthcare providers must listen to transgender and gender diverse patients and unlearn any biases they may have about the transgender community. By incorporating these and other tips into your practice, you will build trust with your trans and gender diverse patients making it easier to meet their healthcare needs.
Safer, J.D., Coleman, E., Feldman, J., Garofalo, R., Hembree, W., Radix, A., Sverlius, J. (2016). Barriers to Health Care for Transgender Individuals. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity, 23(2), 168-171. https://doi.org/10.1097/MED.0000000000000227
Vermeir, E., Jackson, L.A. & Marshall, E.G. (2018). Improving Healthcare Providers’ Interactions with Trans Patients: Recommendations to Promote Cultural Competence. Healthcare Policy, 14(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcpol.2018.25552
Warner, D.M. & Mehta, A.H. (2021). Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Transgender Healthcare: Where We Are and What We Need to Do About It. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 36(11), 3559-3561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07001-2
LGBTQ+ news outlets and civil rights organizations are reporting that across the country local, state and federal legislatures are continuing to introduce legislation that targets the transgender community. The Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) President Kelley Robinson noted in an a recent interview that the organization is “currently tracking over 400 bills against our community” (Riedel, 2023, para. 9) and the HRC released a new report which found that “more than one-fifth of trans youth live in states that have passed bans on gender-affirming care for minors” (Factora, 2023, para. 1). For many transgender individuals, supportive family members, and friends and allies, the onslaught of anti-trans bills and legislation feels stifling and overwhelming. To honor this year’s International Transgender Day of Visibility, this article will offer resources and tools to help transgender people and allies in the fight for safe and affirming healthcare.
Most legislation seeks to limit children’s and teen’s access to gender-affirming services, though some journalists note that certain states are now moving to limit trans adults’ access to care. Independent journalist and activist Erin Reed “is particularly concerned about a new type of gender-affirming care ban that includes trans adults….These new bills would, in effect, force trans adults to detransition by restricting the gender affirming care they may already have been accessing.” (Haug, 2023, para. 5)
Them, an online LGBTQ+ news outlet, reported that “Bills targeting the rights of trans youth at school and in health care are also gaining ground…These include school-based bills, which often target trans students’ privacy around using their correct pronouns and names at school, as well as bills targeting pronoun use more generally” (Haug, 2023, para. 12).
On a federal level, H.R.5 which was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year, would “require elementary and middle schools that receive federal funding to obtain parent consent before “changing a minor child’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or allowing a child to change the child’s sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathroom” (Mizelle & Wilson, 2023, para. 4). While this bill passed in the House of Representatives, it is not expected to be voted on in the Senate.
Some states are moving to secure or expand the healthcare rights of transgender people. In Maryland, the legislature passed the Maryland Medical Assistance Program–Gender-Affirming Treatment also known as the Trans Health Equity Act and this is expected to be signed into law by Governor Wes Moore. This bill will go into effect on January 1, 2024, and many activists see the bill as one of the most positive pieces of legislation to date. The Trans Health Equity Act “would require Maryland Medicaid, beginning Jan. 1, 2024, to provide coverage for additional gender-affirming treatments…The expanded treatments include hormone therapy, hair alteration, voice therapy, physical alterations to the body, and fertility preservation” (Gaines & Sears, 2023, para. 9). Maryland’s bill could serve as a template for other states that seek to provide healthcare services to trans individuals.
While many anti-trans bills fail to become laws, their existence impacts the mental health of transgender people. The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organization, reported in January that “state-level anti-trans laws negatively affected the mental health of 86% of trans and nonbinary youth between ages 13 and 24” (Factora, 2023, para. 6). Researchers found that trans and gender-diverse youth who receive gender-affirming care experience “lower rates of adverse mental health outcomes, build [their] self-esteem, and improve [the] overall quality of [their] life…” (Department of Health and Human Services, n.d., pg. 1; Green et al. 2022). It is important to support the transgender community and work alongside activists and organizers as they seek to expand trans people’s access to gender-affirming healthcare.
With any civil rights issue, it is vital to listen to activists, organizations and the people most impacted. Journalists and trans rights organizations are actively tracking new and upcoming bills that target their community and they often provide new, verified updates as soon as they’re made available. Organizations and individuals who are actively working to inform the public include:
Erin Reed is an activist, journalist, and content creator who shares updates on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the United States and around the world. She seeks to “achieve gender justice for queer and marginalized people through education and understanding” (Reed, n.d., para. 1). Her content is available via Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and her Substack newsletter. Her website also features an informed consent HRT (hormone replacement therapy) map and an anti-trans legislative risk map. Both of these resources are updated frequently.
The Trans Formation Project is a grassroots organization “dedicated to tracking and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis currently sweeping the United States” (Trans Formation Project, 2023, para. 1). The organization’s website features resources that educate people on the current landscape of legislation that impacts the lives of trans people. The organization tracks local, state and federal legislation and also has a ‘Legislator Scorecard’ for people interested in learning about their representatives’ stances on trans rights and the trans community.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is another organization that seeks to support the LGBTQ+ community and strives to build an inclusive environment within the United States and around the world. The organization also actively tracks current legislation. The HRC provides resources to educate people on LGBTQ+ issues and the community. Their ‘Myths and Facts: Battling Disinformation About Transgender Rights’ and ‘Transgender and Non-Binary People FAQ’ are examples of some of the resources that affirm the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse individuals.
Himmelfarb Library’s collection contains resources that discuss trans healthcare. Some of the titles include:
Our Diversity and Disparities in Health Care collection features over a hundred items and is an invaluable resource for users who wish to learn more about trans healthcare and how to interact with their trans and gender-diverse patients.
The amount of new discriminatory legislation and harmful rhetoric surrounding the trans and gender-diverse community is overwhelming. If you are mentally or emotionally impacted by the continuation of anti-trans sentiments and laws, please seek mental health services, if possible. SMHS’s Mental Health Resources page can connect you with mental health resources that may be beneficial. GW’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides mental health counseling to GW students and the community.
On this year’s International Transgender Day of Visibility, we recognize that the fight to protect and affirm transgender and gender-diverse people is still ongoing. In February 2023, Gabrielle Union-Wade and her husband Dwyane Wade gave an emotional and inspiring speech that called on people to continue to fight for trans rights. We would like to share their speech in an effort to remind people of the importance of this work:
