Author: Michael Johnson

New Ruling — Collection of LGBT Data in EHR Systems!

If you have not heard yet, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a ruling that is a huge advancement in the provision of health care to LGBT people. In the new final rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (ONC), all electronic health systems (EHR) certified under Stage 3 of Meaningful Use are required to allow users to record, change, and access data on sexual orientation and gender identity!

If you are not familiar with Meaningful Use, here is a website that gives a quick overview of the objectives and different stages. In essence, Meaningful Use is using EHR technology to improve quality and safety, engage patients, and improve care coordination. Providers and hospitals need to meet certain criteria to attain Meaningful Use, qualifying them for payment incentives.

Although this latest ruling does NOT require providers and hospitals to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data, it does require EHR vendors to build these questions in their systems. Moreover, the ruling adopts replacing outdated and offensive terminology and replacing them with best practice questions.

It is a victory in the advancement of understanding LGBT health disparities!

The Fenway Institute published a press release on this announcement and is worth the read!

Cast your ballot for the GLMA Nursing leadership team election!‏

Attention GLMA Nursing members!

The leadership team election is now underway! Please click on the link below to cast your vote for the next team who will lead the GLMA Nursing section. Once you click on the link, there will be another link to read the biosketches and personal statements for the nominees. The ballot will only take a few minutes to complete. The ballot is for current GLMA Nursing members only. Please cast only one vote! The ballot will close on August 7, 2015.

Here is the link to the electronic ballot: https://unlv.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cFOG42KK2qNyv6B

Health Professional in Training Position on GLMA Board of Directors
The GLMA organization is soliciting self-nominations for the Health Professional in Training (HPIT) position on the Board of Directors of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality. The one-year term begins in fall with opportunity for a one-year renewal. Diverse students/trainees from all health professions are encouraged to apply.
The GLMA HPIT Member is the HPIT voice and advocate of GLMA.  The HPIT Board Member is responsible for co-chairing the HPIT Committee, which is tasked with addressing issues important to HPIT members including HPIT content at the annual conference, mentorship activities, and curriculum and climate at health professional schools. The two HPIT members fully participate as directors of the organization. To meet these and other goals, the HPIT Board Member works closely with GLMA staff, fellow board members, and other organizations.
DEADLINE to apply: end of day on August 17, 2015
Applications should be sent to James Lehman (james.lehman@uwalumni.com) with the subject “HPIT application”.
 
To learn more about the GLMA HPIT Board Member position, contact James Lehman.

Application Form: Health Professional in Training Application_2015

Meet Michael Johnson, our GLMA Nursing Section Chair-Elect!

Michael is a lecturer in the School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is also finishing his PhD in Nursing Science in the College of Nursing at Medical University of South Carolina. He has published a number of articles related to LGBT populations. His current research examines predictors of cervical cancer screening among LGBT females, including transmen. Here is a message from Michael:

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Michael Johnson and Matthew Roell

Hello! First, congratulations to everyone who was involved with establishing the GLMA Nursing Section! It is an exciting time to be part of this movement in nursing. I look forward to working with the leadership group and the members of the GLMA Nursing Section, and I am confident that wonderful things will come from this section. Momentum can already be seen among the different workgroups! If you are interested in being part of this momentum, please email a workgroup leader or any of the leadership team. I look forward to collaborating with everyone as we work toward advancing LGBT health equality!

 Just like Mary Foley, I could not do this work without the love and support of my husband, Matthew Roell. The picture to the right is of him and I during a winter vacation in London, England.