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Image of diverse group of people talking. Text about raising awareness for suicide prevention & treatment.
Image from the National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/awareness-resources/

September is Suicide Prevention Month - making it a good opportunity to raise awareness about suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, immediate help is available. Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.

Just like other mental health conditions, suicidal thoughts can impact anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, equating to one death every eleven minutes (CDC, 2024a). Between 2000 and 2018, suicide rates increased by 37%, and returned to their peak in 2022 following a brief decline between 2018 to 2020 (CDC, 2024a). 

Knowing the risk factors of suicidal ideation and behavior is important for everyone. According to a 2016 review published in The Lancet, “approximately 45% of individuals who die by suicide consult a primary care physician within one month of death, yet there is rarely documentation of physician inquiry or patient disclosure” of suicidal ideation or behavior (Turecki, & Brent, 2016). 

While many individuals with suicidal ideation do not attempt suicide (Dlonsky, et al., 2016), recognizing the risk factors can help you identify someone in need of help and help you find the help they need. According to the CDC, factors that contribute to suicide risk range from individual, relationship, community, and societal factors and can include, but are not limited to the following:

Individual Risk Factors:

  • Previous suicide attempt
  • History of depression and other mental illness
  • Serious illness 
  • Job or financial problems
  • Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
  • Sense of hopelessness

Relationship Risk Factors:

  • Bullying
  • Family or loved one’s history of suicide
  • Loss of relationships
  • Social isolation
  • High-conflict or violent relationships

Community Risk Factors:

  • Lack of access to healthcare
  • Community violence
  • Historical trauma
  • Discrimination

Societal Risk Factors:

  • Stigma associated with seeking help and mental illness
  • Easy access to lethal means of suicide 
  • Unsafe media portrayals of suicide

(CDC, 2024b)

Some factors can protect people from experiencing suicidal ideation and behavior. These include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Effective coping and problem-solving skills
  • Strong sense of cultural identity
  • Support from loved ones
  • Feeling connected to others
  • Feeling connected to school, community, and social institutions
  • Availability of high-quality physical and behavioral healthcare

If you are interested in learning more about suicide prevention, Himmelfarb Library has a Suicide and Suicidology Collection that includes numerous books on this topic. Notable books from this collection include: 

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024a). Suicide data and statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024b). Risk and protective factors for suicide. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/risk-factors/index.html

Klonsky, E. D., May, A. M., & Saffer, B. Y. (2016). Suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation. Annual review of clinical psychology, 12, 307–330. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-093204

Turecki, G., & Brent, D. A. (2016). Suicide and suicidal behaviour. Lancet (London, England), 387(10024), 1227–1239. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00234-2

Picture of a large group of people with two blue, pink, and white trans flags being held above the crowd.
Photo by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft

In honor of August being Transgender History Month, we bring you a reading list that highlights transgender history and elevates transgender voices. Are you interested in learning more about transgender history? Consider adding one of the following titles to your reading list.

  1. Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyman, Ph.D.: This book explores academic research and cultural writing focused on transgender and gender-nonconforming people and examines gender norms perpetuated by society. Before We Were Trans highlights stories of trans people worldwide, throughout human history and chronicles often overlooked trans experiences. Request this title through our Consortium Loan Service (CLS).
  2. Transgender Warriors: Making History From Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman by Leslie Feinberg: Transgender people have existed for as long as people have. Part memoir, part history, and part gender studies text, this book explores the lives of transgender history-makers from around the globe. A print copy of this title will soon be available at GW’s Gelman Library.
  3. Others of My Kind: Transatlantic Transgender Histories by Alex Bakker: In the 1950s, a group of transgender people from both sides of the Atlantic created communities that profoundly shaped the history and study of sexuality and gender. They created private networks of affirmation and trust by exchanging letters and pictures among themselves and submitted their stories and photographs to medical journals and popular magazines to educate doctors and the public alike. Others of My Kind celebrates the faces, lives, and personal networks of those who drove 20th-century transgender history. Click the link above to read an e-book version of this title.
  4. Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton: This exceptional book explores the intersectionality of transgender history and Black history through a multi-faceted lens. This is the story of Christine Jorgensen, America’s first publicly known transgender figure. Click the link above to read an e-book version of this title.
  5. Trans Medicine: The Emergence and Practice of Treating Gender by Stef M. Shuster: Transgender medicine is a rapidly growing medical field. This book explores the history of trans medicine and current practices through interviews with medical providers, and ethnographic and archival research. Trans Medicine provides a rare look inside how providers make decisions when providing care to trans people. An e-book version of this title is available through Himmelfarb, or you can request a print copy through our CLS service.
  6. The Two Revolutions: A History of the Transgender Internet by Avery Dame-Griff: This book explores how the rise of the internet has shaped transgender identity and activism from the 1980s through today. This book combines a largely ignored period within the history of computing and the poorly understood role of technology in queer and trans social movements and offers a new understanding of both. Click on the link above to read the e-book version of this book.
  7. From This Day Forward by Bullfrog Films: While this one isn’t a book, it is an interesting look at trans experience. This film follows filmmaker Sharon Shattuck as she returns home before her wedding to explore the mystery of her upbringing: How her transgender father Trisha and her straight-identified mother Marcia stayed together against all odds. This moving portrayal of an American family coping with intimate transformation is available in Himmelfarb’s streaming video collection and in our third-floor audiovisual collection (call number: HQ77.9 .F76 2015). A print book companion is available in the stacks (call number: HQ77.9 .F76 2015). 

Scrabble tiles laid out on a wooden table with the word "loudness" spelled out in the middle.
Photo by Markus Winkler

Himmelfarb Library is a great place to study! Whether you’re looking for a silent study area where you can focus without distractions, a space for quiet conversations in group study rooms, or the creative buzz of collaborative spaces, Himmelfarb has a study space to suit your needs! And when it’s time to take a breather and rest your mind, we’ve got you covered with puzzles, hula hoops, yoga mats, and board games! 

Different floors serve different purposes at Himmelfarb. Knowing where to go to find your preferred noise level will help you find a study space that matches your study preferences and needs.

1st Floor: The Not Quiet Floor

Himmelfarb’s first floor is not a designated quiet floor. Our first floor is a great space for group study, collaboration, or just hanging out with friends. Filled with 4-person tables, rolling whiteboards, and comfortable couches, the first floor is a great space for both productivity and leisure. You’ll also find our popular high-top tables that can double as standing desks near the windows where you can soak up plenty of natural light! 

Photo of students studying at high-top tables on Himmelfarb's 1st floor.
Photo of high-top tables on Himmelfarb's 1st floor.

Need a moment to unwind? Explore the Healthy Living Collection, located near the printers. Join the communal puzzle-solving tradition and add a piece or two to the current puzzle! Or dive into our selection of board games, hula hoops, yoga mats, and light hand weights - because a healthy mind thrives in a healthy body, especially after intense study sessions.

Himmelfarb's Healthy Living Collection on the 1st Floor.
Himmelfarb's Healthy Living Collection on the 1st Floor.

2nd Floor: The Silent Floor!

Himmelfarb’s second floor is a silent floor for advanced degree students. This sanctuary for concentration and undisturbed focus will help you dive into your studies without distractions. No talking, whispering, phone calls, or other noise is allowed - just peaceful concentration! Take your pick from the ample open and closed study carrels, or choose from a study table near the window if you thrive in natural light.

Photograph of a sign with the text "You are entering a silent floor. Advanced degree students only on this floor."
Silent floor sign on the 2nd floor.

3rd Floor: The Quiet Study Floor

Himmelfarb’s third floor is mostly a quiet study space. You can choose from the many open study carrels, or a closed carrel near the windows for extra natural light. The Bloedorn Technology Center, also on the third floor, is a great space for quiet collaboration and the place where you’ll find computer software, anatomical models, skeletons, and bone boxes. The SMHS IT Helpdesk is also located on the third floor to help you troubleshoot any technical issues you may experience. 

Photograph of individual study carrels on the 3rd floor.
Individual study carrels on the 3rd floor.

Group Study Rooms

Himmelfarb’s group study rooms are available for advanced degree students and must be reserved in advance. Study rooms are designed for quiet conversation. While these study rooms are enclosed, they are still on silent or quiet floors, so please be respectful of others using the space around you. Occasionally, study rooms are used for exams, so please be particularly respectful of noise levels if you see signs indicating that exams are in progress. If you need a space where you can collaborate without worrying about your noise level, the first floor is your best bet! 

LibKey Nomad Logo

LibKey Nomad is a quick and easy way to get the full-text PDFs of journal articles and book chapters that Himmelfarb Library provides in our collection. This free browser extension lets you view content on the publisher's site and download full-text PDFs quickly and easily! LibKey Nomad is available for web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi). 

To use LibKey Nomad, install it as a browser plug-in and choose “George Washington University - Himmelfarb Library” as your home library when prompted.

LibKey Nomad is active on publisher sites, PubMed, Amazon, and Google Books! With LibKey Nomad, you’ll be alerted when the full-text articles and e-books are available from Himmelfarb, and be able to get the PDF with a single click in most cases. When searching databases such as PubMed, look for the “Article Link” or “Download PDF” buttons shown below. 

Here’s a screenshot of how these links appear in PubMed:

Screenshot of PubMed results page with LibKey Nomad Article Link and Download PDF buttons.

Many sites will provide a pop-up in the bottom left corner of the screen with the LibKey Nomad logo and “Provided by George Washington University - Himmelfarb Library” (see below). Simply clicking on these buttons will take you to the full-text content.

Screenshot of a LibKey Nomad "Provided By George Washington University - Himmelfarb Library" button.

When you search, LibKey Nomad automatically integrates full-text access from Himmelfarb directly from where you find the content! For example, if you are searching for a book on Amazon, and Himmelfarb Library owns an e-book of the item you’re looking for, LibKey Nomad will give you the option to access the full text through Himmelfarb - which can end up saving you money! 

Screenshot of a LibKey button in Amazon.

LibKey Nomad even tells you when an article has been retracted! When you search Himmelfarb’s search box and retrieve a retracted article, the PDF button that would normally appear in the results is replaced with a Retracted Article button as shown in the screenshot below.

Screenshot of a LibKey Nomad Article Retracted button in PubMed.

Clicking on the Article Retracted button will open a window that details why the article was retracted (data retrieved from Retraction Watch) and links if you still want to read or download the article.

LibKey Nomad makes getting to the full-text and PDFs of articles and book chapters fast and easy, often in as little as a single click! Install the LibKey Nomad browser extension in your favorite browser today! Contact us if you have questions about installing or using LibKey Nomad! You can reach us at himmelfarb@gwu.edu or chat with us during business hours.

An open book with drawings popping up from pages. A drawing of a sailing ship. A pirate holding a sword and a treasure chest under a palm tree.
Image from https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-xtswg

Himmelfarb Library would like to officially welcome the incoming MS1 class to George Washington University!

As part of your orientation, here is your quest:

Get into a group of four,

Pick a member of your group to lead the tour,

Visit all four floors of Himmelfarb if you dare,

Take photos of each accomplishment to prove you were there.

Complete each task in the order you choose,

You’ll finish them all if you follow the clues.

Task #1

You’ll be learning informatics with a librarian by your side.

In your POM small group, they'll serve as a guide.

Take a pic of the first-floor poster and hear the services they'll provide.

Have someone from the group take a picture of the poster with all of the librarian pictures, this will be shared as proof of completion for the raffle drawing.

Task #2

If ye climb to the crow’s nest and feel a gout in yer knee,

Hochberg and his mateys wrote a book ye should see.

RC927.R48215 2015

Follow the clue (and call number) to find the book listed above in the basement book stacks and have one of your team members take a picture of the front cover. When you’re done, leave the book there for later groups to find.

Task #3

Himmelfarb Library’s third floor is a mix of quiet space, rooms for collaborative studying as well as software, instructional DVDs/CDs, and anatomical models/kits.

Though we might be pirates, we're no luddites.

(We're also no poets, as you may have noticed.)

As new crew members, we'll show you our finest new tech.

A merry band awaits you in the Levine Lounge

to show you our BodyViz 3D anatomy system

and how to 3D print a parrot.

We'll even swab the MedicalHoloDeck

to show you a skull and crossbones in Vee Arrrrrrr.

Take a picture of your group at this station as proof of completion for the raffle drawing

Task #4

Log into any computer and you’re on your way.

“Use your UserID and password,” is what we say.

https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/md is where to go.

Go to chapter 126 in Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (it’s a great book).

Search for ‘Pneumonia’; don’t be slow!

Take a picture of the screen so we can take a look.

Log on to a computer in the library using your UserID/Password.  Go to https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/md and look for the textbook, ‘Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine’  Locate chapter 126 (Pneumonia), and take a photo or screenshot.

Task #5

Study in a group or study alone.

Study standing, seated, or study prone.

If you study in a room on floor two,

An online reservation will ensure the room belongs to you.

Of the thirty-four study rooms in all,

One is the finest, a real windfall.

The quiet floor, a roomy table, and seats.

Plus windows on the two walls make this room complete.

Find this legendary room of library lore,

203C is the number outside the door

Take a pic to prove ye visited the floor.

Go to the second floor (this is a silent floor, so please be mindful of others who may be using the library!) and go to study room 203C.  Take a picture of the room number sign.

Task #6

Starting on Himmelfarb's website,

Find our blog in the What's New spotlight.

Click on the blog, then use the box to search,

And find a comic with a parrot on a perch.

When searching for sources for papers and presentations,

Excluding predatory journals should be among your aspirations.

Grab a photo or a screenshot of Ponzi the Shark,

And don't forget about our blog as on your journey you embark.

Go to the Himmelfarb website (himmelfarb.gwu.edu) and click on the top image in the What's New section in the upper right.  On the subsequent page, use the search bar to look for 'parrot', and click on 'Comic: Predatory Publishing'.  Look for the image of Ponzi the Shark in the comic and take a photo or screenshot.

Final Task

Post your photos to social media (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn) as proof of your quest,

Show us your group is the best!

If social media just isn’t your style,

Email (himmelfarb@gwu.edu) us instead your image files.

If social media, post your pictures in the comments,

So your team represents;

Or post to your own social media pages pictures of all four stages:

Use #Farbientation24 to make sure we see your post.

A group drawn at random will win some great swag!

Be sure to include the names of your group mates,

And your entry into our raffle awaits!

One member of your group should post/share photo(s) of the group at each task.

Be sure to include the full names of all the members of your team!

Use #farbientation24, if posting to social media.

If you prefer not to use social media platforms, email your pics to himmelfarb@gwu.edu.

The Library will select one group, at random, from the social media and email entrants, to win the prize.

The deadline for entry is 5PM on Friday, August 2, 2024!

Follow us on Social Media!

To get the latest in Himmelfarb news

Like and follow us on social media if ye choose!

The links below will take you to the right pages,

That will keep you in the know with content that engages.

CIS Librarians at Himmelfarb

Himmelfarb Contact Information

Circulation Desk: (202)994-2962

Library Website: https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/

Email Address: himmelfarb@gwu.edu

IM Contact: https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/ask/

Text Contact: Text your question to (202)601-3525

Scrabble tiles spread out on a purple surface facing down. A top layer of tiles spells out SELF CARE.
Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay

July 24th is International Self-Care Day! There isn’t a single definition of self-care, as self-care is different for everyone, but it generally refers to how we maintain, improve, and protect our health and well-being. At its core, self-care boils down to doing things that preserve or improve your mental or physical health.

The GW Resiliency and Well-Being Center has a great Self-Care webpage with resources on types of self-care, self-care strategies, and self-care resources. Types of self-care listed here include breathing exercises, massage therapy, nutrition, meditation, exercise, journaling, yoga therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and gratitude practice. While these all sound fantastic, it can be tough to fit self-care into a busy schedule. Figuring out how to fit self-care into your daily routine can boost your overall well-being.

One first step in better self-care is making sleep a priority. Aside from just feeling tired, not getting enough sleep can impact how you feel emotionally and cause health issues. Going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time each morning can help regulate your body’s natural sleep cycle and improve your overall sleep quality. Avoid work emails before bed to help lower your stress levels. Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime to help you fall asleep. Put down your phone before bed to help your eyes avoid the blue light that keeps your body awake. Check out the GW Resiliency and Well-Being Center’s page on restorative sleep for more healthy sleep habits you can incorporate into your routine!

Physical activity also plays a role in self-care. Physical activity, whether it’s going for a walk, getting in a yoga session, going for a swim, lifting weights, going for a run or jog, or going for a hike, can be a great way to boost your mood and manage stress or anxiety. In addition to how good getting in some physical activity can make you feel, physical activity can help decrease your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Getting in more physical activity can also help you get better sleep!

Doing little things that you enjoy can be a big boost to your self-care. If you enjoy reading, carve out some time on a Saturday or Sunday morning to find a comfy spot and read with a nice cup of coffee or tea. Make time for hobbies that bring you joy and satisfaction. Do things that help you feel refreshed and recharged. And finally, make time to connect with friends, family, or loved ones. Invest in your relationships with those you care about and develop, nurture, and maintain a support system around you. Feeling connected to other people can be a great way to promote your self-care and that of those around you!

Image of a diverse group of teenagers talking. Text: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
Image from https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month-2024-toolkit

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! This important yearly observance aims to raise awareness about the unique challenges that impact the mental health of racial and ethnic minority populations. This year’s theme is Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections, which emphasizes how the unique social determinants of health of racial and ethnic minority populations impact overall health, including mental health.

Social determinants of health have a profound impact on both physical and mental health. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines social determinants of health (SDOH) as “non-medical factors that affect health outcomes” and can include “the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age” (CDC, 2024). Five key social determinants of health highlighted in Healthy People 2030 include education access and quality, health care and quality, the neighborhood and built environment, social and community context, and economic stability.

Image of icons used by the CDC for the 5 key social determinates of health.
(CDC, 2024)

Economic stability is a key determinant of mental health. According to Alegria et al. “unemployment, precarious employment, and employment conditions” are linked to “increased psychological distress, even in countries with universal healthcare, where employer-provided health insurance is less essential to accessing services” (Alegria et al., 2018). Economic stability, neighborhood, and the built environment play a role in food security. Lower-income people are more likely to live in food deserts (areas with limited access to plentiful, affordable, or nutritious food). According to a 2020 National Public Radio article, 19 million Americans, about 6% of Americans lived in a food desert in 2015 (Silva, 2020). Black and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity, with 19.1% of Black households and 15.6% of Hispanic households experiencing food insecurity in 2019, compared to only 7.9% of White households (Silva, 2020). 

“Food insecurity and poor diet quality have also been linked to poorer mental health in the United States and Canada” (Alegria et al., 2018). Poor mental health outcomes associated with food insecurity include depression and anxiety. According to Morrison and Frank, there is “a dose-response relationship between the severity of food insecurity and the prevalence of depressive symptoms” (Morrison & Frank, 2023). Food insecurity can also lead to psychological stress responses including “higher levels of anxiety, frustration, and a sense of powerlessness” (Morrison & Frank, 2023). 

Social and community contexts also play a vital role in the social determinants of mental health. Violence within the community can have a large impact on mental health. “Direct and indirect experiences of community violence in adolescence have been significantly associated with elevated depressive, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms” (Alegria et al., 2018). Additionally, living in areas with high incarceration rates is associated with an increased risk of a major depressive or generalized anxiety disorder (Alegria et al., 2018). 

Some unchangeable, fixed characteristics, such as race/ethnicity, nationality, gender, and sexual orientation, also play an important role in mental health. The intersectionality between minority status of race, sexual orientation, and gender identity is an important consideration (Morrison & Frank, 2023). LGBT adults who are also racial/ethnic minorities reported poorer mental health than white respondents (Alegria et al., 2018). Higher rates of suicide have been reported among minority youth who were also marginalized due to sexual orientation and gender identity (Morrison & Frank, 2023). 

It’s important to understand the relationship between social determinants and mental health. “Poor mental health can aggravate personal choices and affect living conditions that limit opportunities” (Alegria et al., 2018). A focus on improving social determinants of health will help improve mental health for minorities who are often disproportionately impacted. “Multilevel interventions aimed at eliminating systemic social inequalities - such as access to educational and employment opportunities, healthy food, secure housing, and safe neighborhoods - are crucial” (Alegria et al., 2018). Primary care physicians can use validated screening tools such as the Social Needs Screening Tool developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians (Morrison & Frank, 2023). Social prescribing, linking patients to appropriate social and community services, is another option for physicians. By addressing the social determinants of health that impact minority mental health through a comprehensive approach, we can work to “advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and Be the Source for Better Health for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations” (HHS, 2024).

References:

Alegría, M., NeMoyer, A., Falgàs Bagué, I., Wang, Y., & Alvarez, K. (2018). Social Determinants of Mental Health: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go. Current psychiatry reports, 20(11), 95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0969-9 

Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2024). Social Determinants of Health. https://www.cdc.gov/public-health-gateway/php/about/social-determinants-of-health.html

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health (HHS). (2024). National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2024 Toolkit. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month-2024-toolkit

Morrison, L., & Frank, C. J. (2023). Social Determinants of Mental and Behavioral Health. Primary care, 50(4), 679–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2023.04.003

Silva, C. (September 27, 2020). Food insecurity in the U.S. by the numbers. National Public Radio (NPR). https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers

Network Maintenance: 7/13 No WiFi!

GW IT has scheduled network maintenance on the Foggy Bottom Campus on Saturday, July 13th from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Impacts to Himmelfarb Library, Ross Hall, and the Milken Institute School of Public Health include disruption of Wifi, network connections, and anything relying on network services will be unavailable. More information can be found at GW IT's Network Maintenance Schedule & Impacts.

Despite the loss of Wifi and network connections at Himmelfarb Library, the Library's website (https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/) should remain accessible from other locations.

Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag
Image by Neo_Artemis from Pixabay

As Pride Month 2024 draws to a close, we want to take this opportunity to look back at some of our favorite LGBTQ+ blog posts. Whether you’re new to Himmelfarb Library or have been following our blog for years, this retrospective look at Himmelfarb’s Pride posts can serve as an opportunity to reflect on the history of Pride, celebrate the progress that’s been made towards LGBTQ+ equality and those who have fought for this progress, and recommit to the work that still needs to be done.

LGBTQ+ History

Most people don’t associate October with Pride Month, but October is LGBTQ History Month. In an October 2023 post titled The History Behind LGBTQ History Month, we took a look at the history behind LGBTQ History Month starting from its origins in 1994 when high school history teacher, Rodney Wilson addressed a lack of LGBTQ representation in school curriculum and worked with organizations such as the Human Rights Campain to have LGBTQ History Month recognized at the national level. October has additional significance within the LGBTQ community as the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place in October of 1979, and a second March on Washington took place on October 11, 1987. In 1988, October 11th was recognized as National Coming Out Day. If you’d like to learn more about the 1979 and 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, read the full post!

LGBTQ+ Profiles

At GW, we are lucky to have many influential members of the LGBTQ+ community who have been members of our faculty for many years! We’ve profiled some prominent GW faculty and one prominent national figure on our blog.

Picture of Dr. Deyton and Dr. Fauci standing in front of a GW Medicine & Health Sciences logo.
(GW SMHS Facebook Page, 2017)

In June 2021, we posted a piece titled “Just Speak:” Lawrence “Bopper” Deyton. This in-depth profile of Dr. Deyton explores an influential experience Dr. Deyton had as a patient that would have a profound impact on the course of his career and inspire him to work to be a positive influence for change within the field of medicine and healthcare for his entire career. In 1978, Dr. Deyton co-founded what is now Whitman-Walker Health as “a health clinic for gay men and lesbians before AIDS redefined everything and the clinic became a hub for HIV treatment” (Sullivan, 2011). After attending medical school at GW and completing his residency at the University of Southern California Los Angeles County Medical Center, Dr. Deyton began working at the NIH, where he became friends with Dr. Anthony Fauci, and together they would play a crucial role in HIV/AIDS research during the early 1990s epidemic. Dr. Deyton was instrumental in overseeing the “clinical research on the development and approval of antiretroviral drugs and treatment strategies, including the first trials of combination therapies, the cornerstone of current HIV treatments” (GW SMHS, 2017). Read the full post to learn more about Dr. Deyton’s fascinating and impactful career!

Picture of Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz.

In September of 2021, we posted a profile titled Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz: Aim for What You’re Passionate About. In this post, Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz discusses what inspired him to go into public health and get involved with HIV care and prevention. He discusses the privilege of being a “young Latino gay man and to have access to education and contribute to my community by engaging in public health training, practice, and research” (Puro, 2021).

Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz talks about how he ended up at GW, what lessons scientists can learn from the spread of misinformation related to the COVID-19 vaccine, and how to make research more transparent and accessible. Included in his answer, he explains that “we should facilitate those scientists from minority populations (e.g. Latinos, Black, LGBTQ, Native Americans) to have access to mass media and platforms to reach out to their communities. No one else can speak to a community like a community member” (Puro, 2021). Read the full article to learn more about Dr. Rodriguez-Diaz.

In June of 2021, our post titled PRIDE: Dr. Rachel Levine: Physician and LGBTQ+ Health Advocate profiled Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender woman to be confirmed for federal office by the United States Senate in 2021. Dr. Levine is still serving as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) at the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Levine served as the Pennslyvania Physician General from 2015 to 2018, during which time she was responsible for an initiative that allowed law enforcement agents to carry Naloxone, an anti-overdose drug, and also allowed Pennsylvanians to purchase Naloxone from a pharmacy without a prescription. Levine has used her platform to highlight health inequality issues impacting marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. In a 2020 interview with Philadelphia magazine, Dr. Levine said “One of my goals, being a state health official…is that people will see me. … it’s about letting people put a face to something they might not understand, so they aren’t fearful, so that they don’t get angry, so that it doesn’t lead to hate.” 

Picture of Dr. Rachel Levine standing in front of a podium and US flag.

Resources

We’ve also posted about LGBTQ+ resources and local organizations. A 2023 post titled Celebrate Pride: LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources highlighted selected books, journals, and streaming videos that are part of Himmelfarb’s collection. A more recent post from earlier this month titled Pride in the Collection shared more books from our Diversity and Disparities in Health Care collection relevant to the LGBTQ+ community. 

References:

George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. (June, 12, 2017). Lawrence “Bopper” Deyton installed as Murdock Head Professor of Medicine and Health Policy. SMHS News. https://smhs.gwu.edu/news/lawrence-%E2%80%9Cbopper%E2%80%9D-deyton-installed-murdock-head-professor-medicine-and-health-policy

Puro, A. (2021, September 29). Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz: Aim for what you’re passionate about. Himmelfarb Library Blog. https://blogs.gwu.edu/himmelfarb/2021/09/29/dr-carlos-rodriguez-diaz-aim-for-what-youre-passionate-about/

Sullivan, P. (2011, September 7). Lawrence Deyton, award nominee, heads FDA campaign against smoking. The Washington Post, https://go.openathens.net/redirector/gwu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Flocal%2Flawrence-deyton-award-nominee-heads-fda-campaign-against-smoking%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2FgIQABsMYAK_story.html

Promotional image of a female doctor using a tablet. Text: DynaMed Tutorial: Claiming CME Credits and Hours.

Did you know that earning and claiming CME credits in DynaMed is fast and easy?

Watch this video tutorial or follow these steps to earn credit for using our content in practice:

Step 1: Sign In to your personal user account:

  • Visit DynaMed.com
  • Click on 'Sign In'
  • Enter your email and password

Step 2: Click on the CME link at the top of our web pages (or the CME link on our mobile app’s home screen)

Step 3:  Select one or more items from any available activities to claim credit for and click on the Prepare button that will appear. (Note that if you are a first-time user of CME you will then be asked to provide some information so we can issue your CME) 

Step 4: Answer the two required Application in Practice questions for each activity you selected. (Note that the evaluation questions that follow may be answered but are optional)

PDF certificates for any CME credits you claim are available in the CLAIMED tab in CME. 

You may have two DynaMed accounts: an old DynaMed account, and a new one created via Single Sign-On (SSO). You can merge your personal user accounts to claim your CE credits in a single account. 

We're dedicated to providing you with the resources necessary for your success. If you ever encounter any issues or have questions please do not hesitate to reach out (himmelfarb@gwu.edu).