Two Banner Health physicians are bringing specialized, diverse and comfortable care to LGBTQ people in Greeley.
Health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual people is often limited in residency programs and in rural parts of the country, according to a news release from Banner Health. That means many in the community don't have adequate access to physicians who understand their needs.
To better serve these patients, Dr. Michael Renecle of osteopathic medicine, and Dr. Sarah Edgerton, OB-GYN, are joining the team at Banner Health clinics in Greeley.
Renecle received his doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Des Moines University in Iowa. Prior to joining Banner Health, he practiced family medicine at Denver Health and Hospital Authority, where he completed an LGBTQIA+ fellowship with an emphasis on HIV medicine, transgender health and sexual health.
Edgerton received her doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker. She is joining Banner Health after completing her OB-GYN residency at the University of Michigan Health-West in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural connections and language impact not only non-medical needs but treatment outcomes as well.
"Training in LGBTQIA+ health care is limited in residency programs and for rural America – my goal is to train and equip our family medicine residents to offer appropriate clinical care," Renecle said in the release.
About one-third of LGBTQ people in the state believe they don't have adequate access to physicians and advanced practice providers who understand their needs, according to a One Colorado survey. Less than half said they have access to LGBTQ-competent providers
As a result, 67% of survey participants feared their provider assumed they are heterosexual.
Dr. Michael Renecle of osteopathic medicine (Courtesy of Banner Health)
Renecle and Edgerton are passionate about expanding the diversity of care and understanding how topics including social perspective and self-identification are important indicators for risk, care and treatment.
Both providers will focus on making patients feel comfortable by showing genuine interest in the details, avoiding assumptions and asking open-ended questions, the release said.
"It's important that a primary care doctor understands not only medical history but who their patients are holistically," Renecle said. "We need to know where they live, how they identify, what makes them get up in the morning and what experiences they've had that have brought them to this stage of life. That is how we truly provide the best care."
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