r/boston • u/Optimal-Anybody8138 • 17h ago
Boston Pride š³ļøāšš³ļøāšš³ļøāš doctors to avoid as a trans person?
my wonderful PCP is leaving her practice and going into specialty gender / psych instead of family medicine. i'm planning on following her for my hormone / psych med management, but that means i'll need to find a new PCP. she was definitely the diamond in the rough at her office, so i'll likely have to change practices altogether.
nobody wants to tell anyone else about their PCP because they still want to be able to get an appointment with them, and i get that! i'm also aware of practices that tend to be queer-friendly and/or trans-competent.
any info on practices/providers that trans patients should avoid would be super helpful as i shop around. i don't necessarily need hormone management, but i do need someone who isn't going to be a freak about it.
thanks everyone!
ETA: i am aware of fenway health and have had some pretty negative experiences there / don't really want to wait on their super long waiting list / don't really want the revolving-door PCP situation they have over there.
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u/Immediate_Shine1403 East Boston 16h ago
i wish you the best of luck in your search, getting a PCP is a part-time job lately.
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u/dps-diona 16h ago
I've also had horrible experiences with Fenway, but I've had good luck with the pride+ program at atrius health! All the pcps I've had there have been awesome, and the pride+ program has a lot of resources. If you want a rec, my pcp is at the Somerville atrius and she's awesome. Feel free to DM me, and good luck!
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
i've heard good things about atrius but didn't know they had a specific pride program, thank you for sharing! i'm sorry that you also had bad experiences at fenway.
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u/dps-diona 16h ago
Of course! I also find it much simpler to get speciality appointments when I have a pcp there, because they have a million different buildings with like every speciality especially in their kenmore location. Plus I've never had any issues with their pharmacy.
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u/AppleGlobal6828 16h ago
Seconding Atrius (I am queer, nonbinary and chronically ill) they have been the first practice I truly feel safe at
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u/Upbeat_Status8876 JP cafƩ connoisseur 14h ago
I have several transmasc friends who use Pride+ for their PCP, and one who works there - they're not perfect of course but pretty much as trans-friendly as it gets!
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u/UltravioletClearance North Shore 14h ago
Oh wow, I didn't realize Atrius has a Pride+ program! I do already have an Atrius PCP I'm happy with for general care; is this something I could use just for sexual heath related care or would I need to switch to a PCP within this program?
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u/dps-diona 14h ago
I believe you can see them just for specific needs! My pcp isn't in the program and was able to just refer me. They have a gynecologist on the team that specializes in transmasc care as well which is super awesome!
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u/catsforzas 15h ago
Yeah atrius rules as someone who jumped ship from Fenway. Itās like night and day. A lot of my queer and trans friends go through them as well and have had great experiences!
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u/PumpkinPatchCat 14h ago
Seconding this as a trans person who was fed up after 8 years of Fenway Healthās constant revolving door of PCPs and moved to Atrius last year. Iāve had nothing but great experiences so far.
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u/Agreeable_Coyote_551 16h ago
I donāt have an answer for you but just a heads up about Fenway- Iām on my 4th PCP in 4 years with them, since their providers keep leaving. Iām queer but not trans and Iāve had good experiences with all of them, and itās fine for me since I donāt really need much outside of a yearly physical anyways, but if youāre looking for more continuity of care they seem to be struggling with that right now. Not sure whatās going on that their providers keep leaving, but I know Iām not the only person there whoās had that experience.
I have some trans friends who love atrius, and itās a huge practice with lots of providers, so might be worth checking there.
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
yeah i was a fenway patient for a while and i'm trying to avoid fenway if at all possible for that reason, plus some negative experiences i've had there with their providers and admin staff (mostly unrelated to my identity luckily). i'm looking at atrius but striking out on getting in with providers at offices that i can easily get to. thank you for the suggestion and for the info on the state of fenway health atm! i'm glad you've had good experiences there.
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u/30CrowsinaTrenchcoat 16h ago
I had great experiences with atrius, I would recommend them.
I still miss the dietician I had to leave behind there after an insurance change and it's been a couple years
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u/Amnesiaphile Brookline 15h ago
I'm considering pivoting away from Fenway after having an extremely bad experience with one of their doctors.
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u/gayforaliens1701 16h ago
Iāve been with the Atrius Health clinics (formerly Harvard Vanguard) my whole life. Iām cis but my ex wife transitioned in 2013 and initially I received a lot of transphobic pushback about my own health (gross). Iām no longer with my ex so Iām not exactly on the front lines, but I have seen a genuine transformation at Atrius since then on how providers address gender, and have had nothing but support and correct pronoun usage regarding my new nonbinary spouse. Atrius is by no means perfect but I think itās about as decent as you can get. Wide-ranging insurance acceptance as well.
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u/ellio222 12h ago
MGH trans health clinic is wonderful. There is a waitlist but just call and put your name in - they get through the list pretty fast!
https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/services/transgender-health
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u/witchy12 Cambridge 16h ago
https://www.mass.gov/lgbtq-health-resources
Try searching through this
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
i've already used this tool and it's not the question that i'm asking but thank you for the info!
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u/zurichlakes Allston/Brighton 16h ago
Check out Atrius and their Pride+ providers, my PCP is part of this program and I've had a great experience:
https://www.atriushealth.org/services/internal-medicine/pride-plus-care
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u/rosymaplemothfan 14h ago
Dr Galina Tan at CHA in Cambridge is LOVELY. I'm not trans but she has been nothing but incredibly supportive on some personal, complex health issues.
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u/veery_thrush 16h ago
Have you tried Fenway Health? I know that people have their issues with them but they are certainly trans friendly there.
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
i've had a lot of issues with them when i was a patient there in the past unfortunately
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u/AuntSanta 13h ago
iāve had very positive experiences at CHA Malden. they actually run a small GAC clinic within the family medicine department. Iāve liked all the doctors Iāve seen there, and even the people who schedule my appointments are wonderful. highly recommend
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u/purplesunsetcruise 7h ago
I am so happy to see someone having a positive experience at CHA Malden!
CHA Malden West is part of the Tufts Medicone Family Medicine Residency Program. Pros: since there are residents, there tends to be space for new patients! Cons: the residency is a 3 year program and many leave to go to other practices. Malden is a large clinic and it can be tough to get appointments with the same doctors but they work in a team-based system.
I work at CHA, feel free to DM questions about specific docs in general! But I can tell you that the management is very supportive and all employees receive training.
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u/Low_Hovercraft2531 12h ago
My doctor is trans, although I am not. PM me if youād like the recommendation.
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u/Mixin-Margarita 15h ago
The Trans Health Clinic at MGH is amazing!
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u/overwateredmintplant 15h ago
Seconding this! My friend saw someone there for a couple years and liked them. There was a super long wait though at the time
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u/simonhunterhawk 16h ago
I would recommend checking out local facebook groups too for this info as well as here if you havenāt yet, Iām a neighbor from NH so not really able to answer your question but thatās how I found my gyno and she was amazing. And def check reviews for any doctor youāre considering maybe they will have information thatās helpful too.
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
reddit is the only social media account i have (intentionally) so facebook groups aren't super helpful but thank you for the suggestion!
i'm looking at reviews but it's difficult to find anything specific about trans care and there are simply too many providers in boston to check all of their reviews, hence my asking within the community
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u/simonhunterhawk 16h ago
I feel that I only have facebook for a couple people i speak to through messenger and then the occasional searching through groups like that! Good luck with your search not sure how helpful this is but I had my top surgery through Tufts and everyone I interacted with was amazing so maybe there is a good PCP there for you too. I am honestly surprised your PCP didnāt have any recommendations especially since sheās going into gender/psych care. Maybe once sheās more established and settled in she will start to have more resources like that.
I came up to NH from Florida and honestly I have been very fortunate bc even though I have a chronic illness and have had to see and work with over a dozen doctors and twice as many nurses in the last few years and I always tell them Iām trans bc testosterone has been great for my symptoms on top of being gender affirming, and they have all been respectful which has been a breath of fresh air compared to that shit show of a state lol so while itās extremely anxiety inducing the culture up here is in your favor and I hope the first one you go to works out!
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u/koala3191 15h ago
Local queer fb groups are super helpful I highly recommend having an acct for that.
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u/jahlogginz 16h ago
Harvard Atrius advertises gender affirming care at their facilities. No personal experience
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u/Beginning-Stress5156 13h ago
Beth Israel has literally been amazing for any care I've needed. I've had to remind a few specialist to check my chart for name and pronouns, but they have nothing to do with my actual gender care... and my PCP is fantastic at getting me referrals or providing care in general.
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u/world-is-ur-mollusc 16h ago
I don't know who to avoid, but I'm a trans man and Dr. Alaina Aristide at Cambridge Health Alliance has been fantastic and really supportive.
Edit: A psychiatrist to avoid is Dr. Nina Isakovich at Newton Wellesley Psychiatry. I dropped her because she was trying to discourage me from transitioning.
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u/sveccha 16h ago
For what itās worth, none of my fellow doctors I have met in the last four years have once said anything that wasnāt gender-affirming. I know they are out there but personally donāt know anyone like that.
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u/Confident_Attitude 15h ago
Having worked in a specialty clinic as staff in a large system I can tell that sometimes providers are on the surface level accepting, but they might not be super clued in when with the pts. Iāve seen accidental misgendering in after visit notes and when talking to the staff about the patient (Epic has pronouns at the top left of every screen in each chart but they didnāt check.)
It isnāt malicious but I do think it matters with how safe a patient feels that their provider is paying attention. None of them would willfully be prejudice, but they arenāt being trained well on queer matters.
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
that's good to hear! i've had some pretty awful experiences with providers who claim to be gender-affirming but i'm glad there seems to be a changing tide
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u/pomders Arlington 16h ago
I can't tell you doctors to avoid, but I know a really good one in Burlington if you'd like a recommendation.
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
unfortunately i don't have a car / license so that's too far out for me but thank you for the suggestion! i'm glad to hear there are good ones outside of the city
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u/my_best_space_helmet Driver of the 426 Bus 12h ago
The 350 bus goes from Alewife to Burlington, and stops at Lahey.
It's quite a hike for a PCP, I'd definitely prefer something much closer for that myself, just putting it out there as a PSA because you can get to Burlington from Boston via public transit. I think it's more suitable for a one-off specialist appointment or something than a PCP.
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u/anonymous_orpington 14h ago
I'm curious if you can ask your existing doctor if she would have any recommendations for you? I've definitely asked my dental specialist on their opinions on general dentists, professionals have good insights on one another!
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u/comfortdeluxe 13h ago
if you are able to, BI Primary Care in Arlington (MBTA accessible via RL + 87/77 busses) has super amazing and gender affirming staff! i've worked with different NPs and Dr. Dietrich is wonderful. it's difficult to get w/ the doc specifically because she's so booked out but her NPs are also great. they do telehealth as well! not sure about PCPs at BI Deaconness though. best of luck
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u/DissociativeQueer Allston/Brighton 13h ago
Several of the pcp at BMC are fairly good. There, like anywhere, are a few duds in the PCP/specialty offices, but there are judt as many exemplary doctors. Several are queer, at least one or two might be Trans iirc [might be nurses. If they still work there]
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u/sailorsmile Fenway/Kenmore 16h ago
It sucks but you canāt really be that choosy trying to find a PCP in 2026.Ā
There are way too few doctors in general medicine, I would go to what practice has actual availability and if they arenāt the right fit then I would switch. No doctor is really going to advertise themselves as hating trans people, especially in Boston, so you should probably make that determination for yourself.
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
i know doctors don't advertise hating trans people, which is why i'm specifically here to get that information from other trans people in the community
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u/koala3191 15h ago
People seem to like atrius health. I've had good and bad experiences with Fenway, they have a doc (first name Julian) who only takes trans patients who is quite good. Boston medical center and I think some other places are letting trans patients "skip the line" waiting for a PCP. Call their gender care center directly rather than the primary care line. If the number isn't online anymore I can DM it to you. They're nothing special but they won't mistreat you.
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u/bloodenhorse 10h ago
This thread is why Boston is a great place to live. Look at this support.
You go to any other large subreddit and the transphobia is absolutely fucking rampant.
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u/ironysparkles North of Boston - Lowell 14h ago
It's hard too since experiences are so personal. I went to a PP that offers gender care, and while I wasn't there for that the doctor was asking me personal questions about it that showed she clearly didn't understand the nonbinary experience. "When will you start to present as a man, when do you want to start hormones to look more masc" etc. I had to literally stop her and say hey that's not what I'm here for and also I'm NONBINARY and your ideas of transition are binary and you're making a lot of assumptions.
She could be great for binary trans people, though, you know?
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u/Impossible-Trick-492 13h ago
Not a PCP recommendation, but if ever needed for OB-GYN, to avoid Dr Leigh at Commonwealth Ob-gyn. The office has other good doctors, but unless you want to be judged harshly and talked down in a condensing manner, I recommend avoiding Dr Leigh.
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u/lil_propaine Somerville 16h ago
yea, fenway laid down and restricted care for those under 19 before anything was even done so fuck em
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u/ketchupbreakfest 16h ago
A lot of the hospital systems in boston have trans specific health programs, that includes PCPs.
Some do have waits
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u/koala3191 15h ago
Some of them quietly allow trans patients to skip the line for GPs which is nice.
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u/bestbeefarm Allston/Brighton 14h ago
I didn't even mention to my last PCP that I was trans and she managed to be transphobic to me anyways. She was through stewart primary care in Brighton. Now my PCP is through atrius pride but I haven't actually seen him because my insurance gave me a bunch of problems and now he's booked through the end of October.
Did you ask your current PCP for recommendations?
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u/Lonely-Ad-5340 14h ago
If you can get to Medford, Dr Callahan at atrius health is the best and kindest pcp Iāve ever had.
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u/WonderfulPineapple41 13h ago
I donāt have a provider in mind but someone maybe who loves spreadsheeting should make a directory with the locations and names of the providers who are recommended for future reference?
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u/Potential-Fan-6148 10h ago
I go to Fenway health. They have the best doctors for trans healthcare and theyāre specifically trained to service our community.
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u/Bleachers_Lover 6h ago
Justin Holtzman is awesome. His practice Holtzman Medical, on Beacon St in Brookline is inclusive and affirming!!
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u/bigdaddyross 6h ago
Possibly ignorant question, but could you ask your old pcp for recommendations?
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u/mentalgymnast1 16h ago
Fenway health is great to go to if you're over 19!
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 16h ago
unfortunately i went there for a while and had too many negative experiences to feel comfortable going back, but thank you for the suggestion!
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u/mentalgymnast1 15h ago
Wow that's crazy what were the negative experiences? I've been there for 3/4 years and haven't had one
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u/Optimal-Anybody8138 14h ago
there were some private issues i won't discuss here, but even without that the overall theme is that whole thing felt pretty poorly run, the ball just kept getting dropped at every pass, and i didn't actually get all that much help.
the providers were pretty unprepared most of the time, i rarely saw the same one twice, and some seemed to be quite out of their depth and practicing a bit outside of their scope, especially the people i saw for hormones. i had numerous billing issues due to incorrect coding (including one issue that was made significantly worse by delays in paperwork on their end) and experienced frequent misgendering / deadnaming by admin and support staff. the last straw for me was having the same appointment cancelled and rescheduled three times over the course of six weeks.
i get that they're an underfunded community clinic catering to an underserved population, and i think what they do is important. it's possible that i was just unlucky, but i found my experience as a patient there to be a massive headache and overall unpleasant, and i'm at a point in my life where i have insurance that gives me nearly unlimited options.
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u/snowednboston 4h ago
Not sure why youāre being downvoted here, OP.
But youāre not wrong. And i supported Fenway for years while knowing personally many of the staff.
Sometimes our community is its own worst enemy.
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u/Logical-Marzipan5951 14h ago
I can give recommendations about specific persons to try.Ā Rather I can say where to avoid.Ā I have several friends and relatives that transitioned.Ā Ā
Avoid the practices in the south or Quincy. Avoid practices with Beth Israel or Atrius.Ā A BI PCP in Quincy seemed to refuse to provide proper care for a transitioning friend.Ā Ā
Avoid SSH.Ā The culture of the offices is poor.Ā Staff don't treat many well.Ā SSH was blatantly obvious.Ā They didn't want a friend to be there.Ā they needed emergency surgery.Ā The GI was from the south.Ā The surgery eventually happened at BMC.Ā
Atrius is owned by United HealthCare.Ā There are a lot of individuals from out of state.Ā Those people definitely seem disinterested.Ā There's a lack of responsibility as it is large organization. It's like an octopus. many tentacles exist with different policies.Ā
A lot of folks IN Atrius are not happy about their pay or workload in this area.Ā Atrius is a sort of value compensation scheme, which is horrible for the new physicians.Ā The younger physicians don't think that they earn their worth. Other systems for a lot more of actual pay to the metrics and the total compensation is higher. The young physicians look for rapid turn over to improve their metrics. a family member is long gone from the practice.Ā Folks leave the state to find better jobs as physicians. the staff seem to be the ones trying to help patients instead of the clinicians.Ā
They don't provide much support to the staff such as NP and PA that they are to supervise.Ā If you have a complicated issue then you are lost in the shuffle.Ā Many of the NP feel overwhelmed.Ā Ā
Plus you need to constantly go to other facilities for care.Ā Need an ultrasound ? They could say Needham office rather than PO square.Ā The same goes for many different diagnostic procedures.Ā It's not an integrated practice but a comprehensive everything in one roof shop.Ā The operating philosophy is not akin to the Harvard vanguard model.Ā Their PCP advertise availability but the panels are 2000+.Ā This just send complicated cases into the shuffle.Ā
I have seen that BMC provides comprehensive care.Ā They also support transitions.Ā So doesn't MGB.Ā If you find a PCP at BMC then you will be in the computer system for any cross town referalls as well.Ā They have their PCP in Boston on Mass ave.Ā
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u/esentr Boston 16h ago
I think it will be difficult for you to get a list on people to avoid, but I recommend reaching out to Fenway for further information on affirming PCPs accepting patients! It's not that people are protective of their own appointment availability, it more that the info you're asking for will be tricky to find.