LGBTQ+ Faculty Affinity Group

How long have you been on faculty at Emory?
8 years
What are your hobbies?
High intensity training, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Lacrosse
What does being a member or ally of the Emory SOM LGBTQ+ community mean to you?
It is important that we advocate for equality for everyone and support our colleagues.
What should prospective and new SOM faculty members know about LGBTQ+ life at Emory?
It is flourishing and we know the work is not done yet but we are committed to being an institution that sets the standard when it comes to inclusion and equity.

How long have you been on faculty at Emory?
4 years
What are your hobbies?
Hiking, National Park Hopping, health/fitness, language learning, international travel, cooking adventurously, learning new skills/sports
What does being a member or ally of the Emory SOM LGBTQ+ community mean to you?
In the words of a new trainee whom I was working with several months ago: "Dr. McAdams, I've never had a mentor or attending who was like me. This is new and I am so happy to know I can learn radiology and have a 'safe medical education home' to do it from". I didn't have that experience in much of my own training and this really struck me - time and time again, we see that representation does matter and supportive, diverse, psychologically safe environments foster innovation and creativity.
How does being a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community affect your day-to-day work in the School of Medicine?
I know that I am making a difference by practicing here. I have a loyal panel of breast imaging patients (running the length of the gender spectrum) who continue to seek me out for care because of my approach and background - this is the highest compliment for me as a breast physician. Similarly, I know that Emory and its diverse patient, faculty, staff and trainee communities have changed me and pushed me to be an even better physician, peer, mentor, and community member.

How long have you been on faculty at Emory?
5 Years
What does being a member or ally of the Emory SOM LGBTQ+ community mean to you?
Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, to me, means having visibility.  I want future medical students to see faculty members that represent their demographic being successful across our organization and helping show that, no matter your sex, race, background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity, you can achieve great things.  I was very afraid as an openly gay applicant to medical school.  It wasn't clear to me whether being gay would be a major barrier to medical school acceptance.  Some who had gone through the process suggested that being gay could be the only barrier needed to not gain acceptance.  I don't want future college students to feel that way when they look at our or other medical schools.
What are your favorite LGBTQ outlets in metro Atlanta (e.g., sports teams, bars, restaurants, interest groups)?
There are great communities in Atlanta.  The Atlanta Gay Sports Alliance is an excellent place to start for newcomers to the city.  Pick your favorite sport, make friends, and go from there.  There are several major events each year that are a good way to meet people too: Gay Pride, Joining Hearts Fundraisers, themed Aquarium nights, and more.  Henry's or The Lawrence in Midtown are great places to sit and catch the vibe of Midtown.  And, Woofs is a bar space with a great new location and restaurant where you can always find people sitting around to talk to.
What should prospective and new SOM faculty members know about LGBTQ+ life at Emory?
I think that new faculty members at Emory in the SOM can count on having colleagues that are LGBTQ+.  Through the affinity group, we are working on visibility which is the current major barrier to understanding the LGBTQ+ culture before joining the faculty.  While there is more work to be done, there seems to be an institutional commitment to LGBTQ+ faculty and our group is working to identify any needs that aren't yet met.

How long have you been on faculty at Emory?
16 years
What does being a member or ally of the Emory SOM LGBTQ+ community mean to you?
It means a safe space. As I am a reproductive and sexual health physician, it is important to me to foster an open and non-judgmental perspective regarding gender, sexual preferences and how to stay healthy or seek treatment for health concerns.
What are your hobbies?
Learning new things. I suffer from the "that seems doable" syndrome, and so I am perpetually on internet videos learning for new projects.
What should prospective and new SOM faculty members know about LGBTQ+ life at Emory?
There is a large and supportive LGBTQIA+ community here at Emory. For those considering Emory from outside the US South and unfamiliar with the city and area, we have not only a safe place to learn and work but to thrive. Sixteen years ago, Emory became the first workplace where I was completely open about who I am. The support I received and still feel has allowed me to flourish.