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2025 Rhode Island Trans Health Conference
REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET - WALK-INS CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED
This is the 8th Rhode Island Trans Health Conference dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community. The conference will provide interactive, evidence-based learning for interdisciplinary professionals across the care continuum to increase confidence in providing quality care for all TGD individuals. In addition to didactic presentations, attendees will have opportunities to learn from practitioners with lived experience and expertise in TGD health and wellness. Running concurrently to the Provider Track, the Community Track will hold space for the TGD community and their families to learn about available resources and build affirming space to intentionally connect, learn, and embrace joy.
Target Audience
This conference is designed for physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, psychologists, physician assistants, social workers, medical students, residents, fellows, public health workers, community health workers, educators, licensed mental health care providers, and allied members of the healthcare team who care for transgender and gender diverse patients.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, healthcare professionals will be better able to:
- Apply evidence-based practice guidelines and updated standards of care in their work with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients across the lifespan
- Identify specific challenges and barriers unique to TGD patients and ways to advocate for the TGD population in the healthcare system and beyond
- Develop an integrated practice that understands both medical and behavioral health needs and available resources for TGD patients
Conference Fees
General Rate |
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|---|---|
| $250.00 | Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, Physician Assistants |
| $225.00 | Nurses, Mental Health Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Other Behavioral Health Providers, Public Health Professionals, Fellows |
| $75.00 | Community Health Workers, Residents, Students, School teachers |
Scholarships to attend the conference are awarded in exchange for volunteering on the conference day. This is a limited opportunity reserved for current students.
For scholarship opportunities to help cover the cost of registration, please click the link below.
The Rhode Island Trans Health Conference is jointly sponsored by
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University | Rhode Island School of Social Work | Rhode Island School of Nursing
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 2025 RITHC Flyer | 229.68 KB |
8:30 - 9:00 | Registration & Coffee | ||||
Keynote Address 9:00 - 9:45 | Welcome & Keynote Address From Crisis to Power: Transforming Trans Health for the Future Dallas Ducar, MSN, RN, NP, CNL, FAAN (she/her) | ||||
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9:45 - 10:00 | 15 minute break | ||||
Session One 10:00 - 11:00 | Using a Harm Reduction Framework to Address the Unique Challenges Faced by Unhoused Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals who Engage in Substance Use Pam Klein, MSN, RN (she/her) Sabel Flynn, BSN, RN, ACRN (he/him, ze/hir) |
Roll for Initiative: The Role of Gaming in Trans Youth Identity Formation Logan England, LICSW (he/him) |
"Prioritizing Comfort for Gender-Diverse Patients During Reproductive Health Procedures" Cailey Indech, DO (she/her) | ||
Introductory | Intermediate to Advanced | Intermediate to Advanced | |||
11:00 - 11:15 | 15 minute break | ||||
Session Two 11:15 - 12:15 | The Zebra in the Room: Exploring the Prevalence of Hypermobility and Chronic Pelvic Pain in the Gender Diverse Community Kay Mastrocola, PT, DPT (she/her) |
Supporting Trans Sex Workers and Trafficking Survivors in Healthcare Settings Yash Rivera (it/its/he/him/fae/faer)
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Getting to the Heart of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Joseph Nardollilo, PharmD, BCACP (he/him)
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Introductory | Intermediate to Advanced | Intermediate to Advanced | |||
12:15 - 1:00 | Exhibit Hall, Resource Tabling, Free Yoga & Stretch Session Exhibit Hall with resource tables will be held in the Quad from 12:00 pm -2:00 pm. You are welcome to visit the tables during breaks and lunch to learn about local resources in RI for TGD individuals. | ||||
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1:00 - 1:45 | Lunch, including a Trans Providers Networking Lunch | ||||
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Session Three 2:00 - 3:00 | Transcending Fear: Cultivating Gender Euphoria in Gender Affirming Care Cassidy Dallas, LICSW (they/he) |
What Does My Gender Look Like?: Expressive Arts Therapies Interventions for Gender Exploration Sage Phoenix, LMHC (they/them)
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Advances in Transgender Reproductive Health Lauren Abern, MD (she/her)
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Introductory | Intermediate to Advanced | Intermediate to Advanced | |||
3:00 - 3:15 | 15 minute break | ||||
Session Four 3:15 - 4:15 | Update on Legal Issues in Transgender Health Care Access Lisa Rodrigues, GLAD Law (she/her/ella) |
"Learning How to Love Me More": Gender Diversity and Intersections with Disordered Eating and Body Image Issues Joy Lochelt, LICSW (any pronouns) | Gender, Hypermobility, and Neurodiversity: Updates in Research and Practice Marisa Bergfield, MA, PsyD (she/they) | ||
Introductory | Intermediate to Advanced | Intermediate to Advanced | |||
4:15 - 4:30 | 15 minute break | ||||
Town Hall 4:30 - 5:15 | Provider Track Town Hall & Closing Rev DL Helfer (they/them) Aarav Sundaresh (he/him) | ||||
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- How much walking will I need to do?
- Who can I ask for help if I need assistance?
- Conference Volunteers and Rhode Island College Security will be available to assist at all times. To contact security to ask for transportation between buildings, please call 401-456-8888. To report an accessibility concern or discuss accessibility issues that are not related to transportation between buildings, please contact Brown CME at [email protected]
- What are the bathrooms like?
- On the day of the conference, all bathrooms will be labeled as “All Gender Restrooms.” There are both single stall and multi stall bathrooms across the campus. Many restrooms are accessible to those who use mobility supports such as wheelchairs and walkers; however, there are no adult-sized hygiene tables at Rhode Island College. Participants who need support with hygiene should plan with this in mind.
- Will I need to climb stairs?
- There are elevators wherever stairs are required to get between locations.
- Where can I find water?
- Rhode Island College has water-bottle filling stations across the campus. There will also be water bottles available throughout the day.
- What is the food like?
- There will be coffee and snacks in the morning, a hot lunch, and cookies in the afternoon. Lunch will include gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
- What are the transportation options to get to the event?
- Rhode Island College has ample free parking and is accessible via RIPTA bus. The conference is able to provide RIPTA bus passes for Community Track attendees who are unable to obtain their own transportation. Please complete the questions on registration about this and we will contact you.
- Is interpretation available?
- ASL interpretation will be available. Any conference participants who will need ASL interpretation are encouraged to arrive at the beginning of registration to facilitate easy creation of a plan for the day with the interpretation team. It is vital that participants who know they will need ASL communicate this need during sign-up, so that we can find enough interpreters to match the need.
- Are printed materials available?
- Printed versions of presentation slides are available upon request, in notes-format, large print, high-contrast, or any combination of those options. Please indicate this need upon sign-up.
- Can I use my screen reader to access presentation slides?
- Electronic copies of presentation slides will also be made available via shareable link and thumb drive for participants who use screen readers. It is vital this need is communicated at sign-up in order to ensure we have the correct number of copies of the format you need. These slides will not be shared until the morning of the conference, and participants who need this support are encouraged to arrive at the beginning of registration time to ensure they have adequate download and set-up time.
- Can I bring my service animal?
- Service animals are welcome at the conference. Service animals are expected to follow all commands of their handlers while on Rhode Island College property, and to wear appropriate gear relevant to the service performed. Service animals may be relieved in grassy areas and should be cleaned up after appropriately. In the event of severe weather, please contact Brown CME at [email protected] for support in planning how to most easily manage the needs of both service animal and handler.
- Where can I go if I need to pump?
- It is our goal to ensure a safe and comfortable place for people who are lactating to pump. While we are not yet sure where this space will be located, there will be a pre-identified lactation room. Please follow up with any conference volunteer for support locating and accessing this space.
Speakers | Planning Committee |
Dallas Ducar, MSN, RN, NP, CNL, FAAN (she/her) Keynote Speaker Executive Vice President of Donor Engagement and External Relations Fenway Health Boston, MA Lauren Abern, MD (she/her) Assistant Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Women & Infants Hospital Providence, RI Marisa Bergfield, MA, PsyD (she/they) Licensed Clinical Psychologist Behavioral Medicine & Spine Institute Lifespan Physicians Group Providence, RI Cassidy Dallas, LICSW (they/he) Owner, therapist, consultant Cass Dallas Therapy and Consulting Westford, MA Logan England, LICSW (he/him) Director of Youth Services Youth Pride RI, Inc Providence, RI Sabel Flynn, BSN, RN, ACRN (he/him, ze/hir) Registered Nurse Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Boston, MA Cailey Indech, DO (she/her) Family Medicine Doctor Thundermist Health Center Woonsocket, RI Pam Klein, MSN, RN (she/her) Director, Gender Care Team Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program Boston, MA Joy Lechelt, LICSW (any pronouns) Director, LGBTQ+ Clinical Services Out at Home Boston, MA Kay Mastrocola, PT, DPT (she/her) Physical Therapist Roots Physical Therapy Providence, RI Joseph Nardolillo, PHarmD, BCACP (he/him) Assistant Professor University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Kingston, RI Sage Phoenix, LMHC (they/them) Psychotherapist Roslindale, MA Yash Rivera, BA (it/its/he/him/fae/faer) Intersectional Education and Research Director COYOTE RI Logan, UT Bella Robinson (she/her) Executive Director COYOTE RI Warwick, RI Lisa Rodriguez-Ross (she/her) Attorney GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders Boston, MA Aarav Sundaresh (he/him) Providence, RI | Syd LaBonte, LICSW (they/them) | Conference Coordinator Hasbro Children’s Hospital Rhode Island College Providence, RI Wendy Becker, PhD, LICSW (she/her) Rhode Island College School of Social Work Providence, RI Justin DiLibero, DNP, APRN, CCRN, CCNS, ACCNS-AG, CNE, FCNS Rhode Island College School of Nursing Providence, RI Quinten Foster, MS (he/they) Accessibility Coordinator East Bay Community Action Program Newport, RI Rev DL Helfer, LCSW (they/them) Fundraising Coordinator Community Care Alliance Providence, RI Maria Sullivan (she/her) Jennifer Maloney (she/her) Michelle King (she/her) Emmy Nuttall (she/her) Brown University Continuing Medical Education Office Providence, RI Provider Track Committee Noah V. Lupica, MD (he/him) Medical Co-Lead Thundermist Health Center Warwick, RI Julia Schulkers, MS, APRN, FNP-C (she/her) Medical Co-Lead Hasbro Children’s Hospital Providence, RI Marisa Bergfield, PsyD (she/they) Behavioral Health Co-Lead Brown University Health Physicians Group Providence, RI Kimberly Page, RN (she/her) Volunteer Coordinator Thundermist Health Center Woonsocket, RI Gray Babbs, MPH, PhD Candidate (he/him) Brown University School of Public Health Providence, RI Christopher Bayston, MD MSc (they/them) Brown University Providence, RI Matt Boudreau (he/him) Rhode Island Department of Health Providence, RI Samuel Diaz, MD Candidate (he/him) The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Providence, RI Gabe Grochowski, LMHC (he/him) Thundermist Health Center Woonsocket, RI Antonio Reisopoulos, PA (he/they) Open Door Health Providence, RI Micaela Weaver, DO (she/her) The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Care New England Breast Health Center Providence, RI |
See more info including presenter bios and workshop descriptions here
Physicians
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Rhode Island College Schools of Social Work and Nursing. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Licensed Mental Health Counselors
The application has been approved by the RI Mental Health Counselors Association.
If you are claiming LMHC credit, please select "participation" as your credit type.
Nurses
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Social Workers
This activity has been reviewed and approved as Continuing Education for Social Work by Rhode Island College School of Social Work for 5.5 CEUs.
Psychologists
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. Credit Designation: This program offers 5.5 continuing education credits for psychologists.
Available Credit
- 5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
- 5.50 ANCCThis continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Northeast Multistate Division, an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
- 5.50 APA
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
In support of improving patient care, Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
- 5.50 AttendanceParticipants will receive a Certificate of Attendance stating this program is designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. This credit is accepted by the AAPA and AANP.
- 5.50 Participation
Presenting Sponsors |
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Premier Sponsors |
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Supporting Sponsors |
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Community Sponsors |
Price
REGISTRATION CLOSES May 19th, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET - WALK-INS CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED
For scholarship opportunities to help cover the cost of registration, please click the link below:
Scholarships are awarded in exchange for volunteering.
General Rate |
|
|---|---|
| $250.00 | Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, Physician Assistants |
| $225.00 | Nurses, Mental Health Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Other Behavioral Health Providers, Public Health Professionals, Fellows |
| $75.00 | Community Health Workers, Residents, Students, School teachers |
Please notify the Brown CME Office in writing at least 10 business days (5/20/25) before the conference to request reasonable accommodations.
Please notify the Brown CME Office in writing at least 10 business days (5/20/25) before the conference of any severe allergies.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations/substitutions must be made in writing to the Brown CME Office at least two weeks before the conference. A $35.00 administrative fee will be charged for all refunds (no refunds for “no-shows”). There will be no additional charge for substitutions. This conference is subject to change or cancellation.
For More Information, Contact Brown Continuing Medical Education | E: [email protected] | Website: www.cme.med.brown.edu