Hoya MedAlliance

 

For LGBTQ individuals, Washington, DC could not be a better move. While the social scene has been historically centered in and around Dupont Circle, the LGBTQ community exists throughout all areas of the city. As such, there is a wide network of community and national LGBTQ organizations, including Human Rights Campaign, Mautner Project, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Whitman-Walker Health, to name a few, where you will be able to grow in both personal and professional ways.

Being a Jesuit university, Georgetown may not, at first glance, seem to be an accepting environment to LGBTQ students. This is far from being true. Deans, faculty and administrative staff in the School of Medicine have been very supportive to foster a supportive and caring environment. Over the past several years, the doctoring curriculum has advanced in addressing the healthcare needs affecting LGBTQ individuals, even establishing an objective structured clinical examination for LGBTQ patients. Improvements are ongoing due to the dedication and activism of LGBTQ students and faculty. As one of many diverse minorities at Georgetown School of Medicine, LGBTQ students are treated equally and respectfully by the overall student community.

To this end, the Hoya MedAlliance was established in 2008, composed of LGBTQ students and allies. We provide opportunities to socialize within Georgetown School of Medicine, the other graduate programs at Georgetown University, and the other medical schools in Washington, DC. We also advocate for the improvement of health issues within the LGBTQ community at large. We have hosted speakers to talk about health disparities facing the LGBTQ population and partnered to support a DC youth homelessness shelter in 2012.