As our way of expressing our commitment to inclusive care, members of the AdvantageCare Physicians leadership team have shared their thoughts on the importance of welcoming the LGBTQ+ community into our practice and offering them a care setting where they’ll feel accepted, understood, and respected. Although inspired in recognition of Pride Month, these messages speak to the commitment ACPNY makes to our LGBTQ+ patients year-round, every day, at every visit.
Dr. Bruno Casanova – Chair of Women’s Health
At ACPNY, we understand the importance of inclusion. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are always welcomed in our offices, because when we accept and respect the many communities who trust us with their health, we’re also accepting and respecting some aspect of ourselves. We are all susceptible to discrimination, and anyone could be a victim of another person's bias. Nonetheless, at ACPNY we understand and accept others because we see ourselves in our patient's position – their hesitancies are ours in different circumstances. Our providers do not attempt to change anyone's beliefs, but we all agree on the compassion we would like to see for ourselves, reflected in the way we treat our patients.
Dr. Nicole Thomas-Sealey – Vice President, Clinical Education
Every provider has an opportunity to engage all patients with a focus on making them feel special, unique, and accepted without exception. I am proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community.
Dr. Steven Finkelstein – Chair of Gastroenterology
I am proud to be part of AdvantageCare Physicians, an organization that appreciates and celebrates diversity. We are a medical home that welcomes everyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community. At ACPNY, our doctors, staff, and executive team members embrace every person for their uniqueness and all their wonderful individual qualities. That’s what make us the most inclusive and welcoming medical organization in the most inclusive and best city in the world.
Dr. Julie Patel-Pannullo – Vice President, Clinical Innovation
At ACPNY, our providers and care teams take great pride in the integral role we play in the communities we serve. Health care must be equitable and inclusive for people of all sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We understand the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and we try to create an environment where all patients feel welcome so we can better meet their often complex health care needs.
Anne Dunne – Chief Operating Officer
Allyship to the LGBTQ+ community is important to us. Whether we are caring for patients or interacting with colleagues, our practice has ongoing opportunities to promote and demonstrate acceptance by being curious and open minded, which creates a culture where we put our differences aside and respect and advocate for our patients and colleagues, regardless of their orientation.
Dr. Stephen Haug – Chair of Ophthalmology/Eye Care
I am honored that many of my patients have felt supported enough to come out to me. But for every one of them, how many others are still afraid to show their authentic selves? I fully support our efforts at AdvantageCare Physicians to show we are LGBTQ+ allies. When we say we care for the “whole you,” we mean the authentic you.