Voice - HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY EXPANDING TELEHEALTH PLANNED GIVING - Radiant Health Centers
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Voice VOL. 33 NO. 1 APRIL 2022 HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY EXPANDING TELEHEALTH PLANNED GIVING
TheVoice OUR MISSION Radiant Health Centers provides the LGBTQ+ community medical services that are
compassionate and comprehensive while continuing to serve those living with and affected by HIV.
CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO, PHILIP YAEGER AND
BOARD CHAIR, DAVID HARROD
3 Hormone Replacement
Therapy Radiant Health Centers is wrapping up a four-year strategic plan
4 TeleHealth Services focused on medical and clinical expansion, and we are thrilled to
report that we have successfully achieved our planned goals.
5 George’s Story Our accomplishments over the past to address the growing need of our
four years include the addition of the clients and their family members,
6 Club Radiant Gala following: and offering our basic needs services
7 Our Supporters • Primary healthcare
• Family planning and sexual health
to the broader LGBTQ+ community,
regardless of their HIV status.
8 Planned Giving care
• HIV, STD and HepC testing and
Radiant Health Centers continues to
improve access and care for Orange
treatment
County’s LGBTQ+ community and
Board of Directors • PrEP navigation to ensure clients
we owe our success to our board of
sustain preventative healthcare
OFFICERS directors, staff and supporters, like You.
• Rapid Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART)
David Harrod President
for those newly diagnosed with HIV On behalf of the thousands of
Zach Abrams Vice President • Women’s breast and cervical cancer individuals we serve each year,
Kourosh Kohanteb Treasurer education and linkage to care we sincerely “Thank You” for your
Larry Will, D.D.S. Secretary • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) dedication to our important work.
•H ormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
MEMBERS Yours in Service,
Abe Weil, Ph.D. In 2020, Radiant Health Centers
Arana Greenberg was also accepted into CalOptima’s
Community Care Network and in
Arnold Henson, M.D.
2021 we became a member of Philip Yaeger
Daniel G. Garza CEO
the Orange County Coalition of
Duane Vajgrt, M.D.
Community Health Centers.
Elliott Kornhauser, M.D.
Gary Johnson We are now looking forward to
Haley Horton executing our 2023-2027 strategic
John Mitchell plan, which will put Radiant Health
Lydia Bottegoni Centers on the path to becoming a
Mark Gonzales Federally Qualified Health Center. Our
target is to achieve new access or look-
Olivia Blanchard
alike status within the next two years.
Nathan Menard
Norri Hennagin Our plan also includes the addition David Harrod
Tim Braham of comprehensive youth services Board Chair
to address the physical, mental,
OUR VISION LGBTQ+ healthcare and social needs of LGBTQ+ youth,
equity and the end of the HIV epidemic expanded mental health counseling
in Orange County.
2 THE VOICE A Publication of Radiant Health Centers
Hormone Replacement
Therapy Services in Irvine
As the largest LGBTQ+ medical clinic in Orange County, Radiant Health Centers provides a wide range of treatment, testing
and support services. One of our more recent additions is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), available to the LGBTQIA2S
(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit) community. Our knowledgeable and
compassionate team is available for patients seeking an initial evaluation, or who may have questions about HRT.
What Is Hormone can help reduce gender dysphoria provider could be unsafe. It’s
Replacement Therapy?
and increase self-confidence, plus important to work with experienced
Hormone therapy is a treatment used
improve mental health overall. HRT professionals to ensure you receive
to adjust hormone levels to align
can provide an improved sense of self the correct medication dosage and
with an individual’s gender identity.
and a better quality of life by removing that your health is prioritized.
The process is one of the ways to
the incongruence felt when a person’s
assist a transgender person during Do I Start HRT on My Initial Visit?
body and gender don’t align.
their transition, helping to improve No, you will not start HRT on your
their physical and emotional well- Access Our LGBTQ+ Counseling initial visit. You will require a few
and Mental Health Services
being. Gender-affirming hormone additional visits before initiating HRT.
We offer various treatments at Radiant
therapy involves taking medication to These visits will include the initial
Health Centers, including mental
a level that provides an individual’s evaluation, a discussion about HRT
health therapies, HIV/STI testing,
desired level of masculinization or (what it is and what it can accomplish),
family planning, counseling on HRT,
feminization. Our trained medical what to expect when you begin HRT
counseling on transitioning and more.
team works with patients to find treatment and its possible side effects.
Many patients experience stress
the proper levels of testosterone or In addition, you will visit with a mental
during the HRT process and they may
estrogen to aid in their transition. health professional for consultation
require support from experienced
An Overview of the HRT Process and evaluation.
counselors. Our LGBTQ+ counseling
• An initial evaluation to discuss the services ensure patients are supported Can I control the level of
treatment and potential side effects. throughout their transition with feminization or masculinization?
• A review of your medical history help from an educated, caring and Yes. Modifying the medication dose
to ensure there are no treatment compassionate team. will adjust a transition’s outcome
complications. to deliver optimal results for each
Common Questions About
• A physical examination to confirm individual. Other factors like genetics
Hormone Replacement Therapy
you are in good health and ready to and age will also play a part.
Do I need to undergo gender
proceed.
affirmation surgery along with Contact Us to Discuss Our
• Blood tests to check for possible HRT Services
hormone replacement therapy?
complications with the treatment. At Radiant Health Centers, we provide
You have options – HRT can be used as
• Patient consent forms to ensure you HRT services to the LGBTQIA2S
part of an individual’s treatment without
completely understand the therapy. community in Orange County. For
surgery. Or, you could choose to include
Who Can Benefit From Hormone surgery as part of your transition. more information on the transitioning
Replacement Therapy? process, including our counseling
HRT is an essential treatment for Can I follow the HRT process
services, contact our team today. Call
transwomen, transmen, nonbinary without a healthcare provider?
the medical clinic at (949) 809-8764
and intersex people. The therapy Attempting HRT without a healthcare
or schedule an appointment now.
vol. 33 no. 1 April 2022 3
Expanding Telehealth
for the Orange County
LGBTQ+ Community
At Radiant Health Centers, we are pleased to offer telehealth services to the Orange County LGBTQ+
community. Our Irvine medical clinic has been delivering advice and treatment to people living with HIV and
other health issues for over three decades. As a safe, convenient and confidential communication channel,
telehealth ensures that patients across Orange County can always access reliable and efficient healthcare.
Radiant Health In addition, we assist patients in using
patient portal services. Our patient
While many of these services will
require in-person appointments at
Centers’ portal, Patient Ally, is a dedicated various stages, an initial assessment
Telehealth online service that helps deliver rapid
and efficient medical care. After a
and some parts of the treatment will
be available using telehealth. This
Services referral from your provider, you can process will ensure patients get fast
access some of the following features access to medical providers, while
Telehealth is available to patients
through the portal. still receiving dedicated face-to-face
for initial consultations, follow-up
• Medication refill requests appointments where required.
appointments and prescription care.
• Faster communications with the
When an individual has a medical Our telehealth services offer quick,
provider
issue, a virtual first assessment can responsive and quality care to patients
• Access to your medical records
be arranged to determine the services across Orange County. When the same
• Schedule and reschedule
needed. It may then be necessary to high level of care can be delivered
appointments
schedule an in-person appointment virtually, there is often no need for a
for some services, including HIV and Telehealth is used to assist patients person to travel to our Irvine medical
STD testing. After the initial telehealth with a wide variety of health issues. We clinic. However, there are some
consultation, a full assessment with typically assess clients’ needs in the circumstances where an in-person
a medical professional at our health following areas. appointment is necessary.
clinic may be required. • HIV
Individuals can arrange in-person
• STD
Individuals can contact us to schedule appointments with the same level of
• Hepatitis C
an appointment with a medical privacy and confidentiality as a virtual
• Hormone replacement
provider. Our team of medical meeting. Exams, blood draws, HIV and
• PrEP
professionals is considerate and skilled STD testing, physicals and checkups
• PEP
– and understands the challenges are still conducted by staff from our
• Rapid ART
facing LGBTQ+ patients. You can LGBTQ+ medical clinic. Any follow-up
• Family planning: Breast exams &
be assured that you are dealing appointments related to testing can be
pap smears
with educated and compassionate conducted using telehealth.
• Primary care: Physical exams,
healthcare providers. We want you to
doctor referrals, annual checkups
feel safe and feel heard.
& health diagnosis
4 THE VOICE A Publication of Radiant Health Centers
George’s Story:
In my role as a case manager for Radiant Health Centers,
I have come across many stories that inspire me and
reinforce my decision to work for an agency where I can
play a role in changing lives. I’d like to share one of those
stories with you. Please note that I have changed the client’s
identity to protect their confidentiality.
My client, George is a 48-year-old male who is in remission
after being treated for General Anxiety Disorder and
Substance Use. George is living with HIV and has a long
history of homelessness, substance use, and mental health
issues. He shared with me how his mental health and
behavior problems started in his childhood and escalated
with substance use when he became an adolescent.
Why Is LGBTQ+ Although George has always had support from his family,
he was unable to sustain sobriety despite several attempts.
Telehealth So He struggled to maintain employment and manage his
Important? mental health after years of substance abuse.
George started receiving services through Radiant Health
Many people within the LGBTQ+ community
Centers 4 years ago. He described himself as being close
face disproportionate health challenges. Sadly,
to death, on the streets, and hopeless. He reached out for
this issue is often exacerbated by limited
help from his family one last time, which resulted in him
access to medical services that recognize the
receiving services from Radiant Health Centers.
needs of LGBTQ+ patients. When individuals
fear discrimination from medical professionals, With the support of our team of professionals, George has
they may avoid or delay dealing with important been able to improve his health and begin turning his life
issues such as HIV, hormone therapy, family around.
planning and so on.
Through therapy, George is addressing his childhood trauma
With these concerns in mind, telehealth and learning coping skills that have allowed him to maintain
offers comfort and understanding from his sobriety. With the support he has received from the
staff educated in LGBTQ+ health concerns. Radiant Health Centers’ team he is now in good physical and
Appointments are conducted in a friendly, mental health. He is on track to complete his High School
open manner that respects privacy, helping Diploma with a plan to pursue a higher education.
patients receive the best health care. Together
with our LGBTQ+ medical clinic, the telehealth George shared that for the first time, he has been able to
service is a crucial channel for delivering feel hopeful in his recovery and has a positive outlook for his
information and treatment. future. He indicated to me that the services he received and
continues to receive at Radiant Health Centers have been an
Radiant Health Centers provides telehealth essential part of his recovery and maintaining his health.
for consultations on family planning, health
checkups, and an overall assessment of our Last week, George became emotional as he reflected on
clients’ needs. If you would like to schedule his progress over the past 4 years. For the first time he can
an appointment with a telehealth medical remember he has begun to plan for his future, with a goal
provider, contact us today. For assistance, call of securing employment and taking college courses in social
(949) 809-8764 now. For general inquiries, services. I look forward to watching him grow and providing
please call (949) 809-5700. guidance to assist him with his journey.
clubradiant.givesmart.com
New Date!
F R I D AY, M AY 1 3 T H , 6:30 PM
Grand Gimeno
146 N Orange St, Orange CA 92866
Valet Drop Off
It’s official! The 36th Annual Radiant Health Centers’ Alison, an
Gala will take place Friday, May 13, 2022. After last author and
year’s virtual event, the gala returns for an in-person actress widely
celebration at Grand Gimeno in Orange. Entering its recognized for
36th year, the annual event will continue its tradition of her role as Nellie
raising money to support LGBTQ+ health equity and HIV Oleson on the
care in Orange County. iconic television
series “Little
CLU B R A D I A N T T H E M E AT T H E R A D I A N T House on the Prairie,” is an activist for LGBTQ+ and
H E A LT H CE N T E RS’ A N N UA L G A L A AIDS organizations. Tony, an award-winning producer
for “Good Morning America,” who talked about his
The gala will have a distinctly ‘70s mood, featuring a
experiences living with HIV this year, has helped bring
“Club Radiant” theme. Attendees are encouraged to wear
further awareness to HIV/AIDS.
‘70s attire to celebrate the golden age of disco. Expect
an evening of action-packed entertainment featuring a Radiant Health Centers is here to serve the LGBTQ+
cocktail hour, dinner, live entertainment and awards – all community in Orange County, with HIV care, STI
taking place under the disco ball. testing, counseling, social services and much more.
If you would like more information about our
H O N O R I N G T W O D I ST I N G U I S H E D G U ESTS upcoming Annual Gala, contact Ana Martinez at
The 2022 recipients of the Radiant Compassion Award amartinez@radianthealthcenters.org
have been announced as Alison Arngrim and Tony
Morrison. The gala will be a chance to honor the work of Special LIVE performance by
these two figures for their advocacy for HIV/AIDS issues. GRAMMY-Winning Motown
Legend Thelma Houston!
6 THE VOICE A Publication of Radiant Health Centers
RADIANT HEALTH CENTERS
Memorial and
Tribute Gifts
The following individuals were honored by friends and loved ones of Radiant Heatlh Centers’ supporters.
Consider making a gift in memory of a special person or in honor of someone you admire.
In Memory of Elliott Kornhauser
Blaze Bernstein Haley Horton
David Lewallen Jeanne and Gideon Bernstein
Hudson Williams John Mitchell
Molly Gonzales Kathie Consalvi
Kevin Black
In Honor of Norri and Warren Hennagin
Abrams Family & Friends Paul L. Jones
Damon Chen and Howard Gleicher Pearl Jemison-Smith
Dan Haspert MD Richard
David Mershimer Tim Braham
Dr. Duane Vajgrt
RADIANT HEALTH CENTERS
Corporate Supporters
Special thanks to the corporations and foundations that support Radiant Health Centers’ work through
sponsorships and grants. We are inspired by their commitment to the health of Orange County.
ADP LabCorp
Advantage Healthcare Services M.A.C. VIVA GLAM Fund
Avita Pharmacy MOCA Foundation
Berkshire Hathaway-The Charitable Foundation Pacific Life Foundation
CalOptima Medical Pacific Western Bank
CVS Quality Drug Holdings Corporation
Edwards Lifesciences, LLC Room & Board
Essential Access Health Shopoff Realty Investments, LP
Garden Grove Pharmacy Stater Bros. Charities
Gilead Sciences Synchrony Financial
Hoag Community Benefits The Capital Group Companies Charitable
Janssen Foundation
Johnson & Johnson Union Bank Foundation
Kaiser Permanente Foundation ViiV Healthcare Company
Kroger Foundation - Ralph’s Community Walgreens
Contribution Program WellPartner, Inc.
vol. 33 no. 1 April 2022 7
Nonprofit
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17982 Sky Park Circle, Suite J Claremont, CA
Irvine, CA 92614
www.radianthealthcenters.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Questions & Feedback:
Editor Susan Caumiant
17982 Sky Park Circle, Suite J
Irvine, CA 92614
www.radianthealthcenters.org/contact-us
Planned Giving Life Insurance
Do you have a life insurance policy that’s outlasted its
Options That original purpose? Consider using your policy to make
a charitable gift to support our work and reduce your
Reduce Your taxes. There are various ways a life insurance policy can
be used for philanthropic purposes.
Taxes Retirement Plan Beneficiary Gifts
Making a charity like Radiant Health Centers beneficiary
Planned gifts are a fantastic way to
of your retirement plan is one of the easiest ways to
demonstrate your passion and commitment for
make a legacy commitment. Retirement gifts can often
LGBTQ+ health and HIV care equity. With tax be heavily taxed, so leaving some or all to charity may
season upon us, now is a great time to evaluate be a benefit. There are no age restrictions, so anyone
the impact of your giving, and several planned with a retirement plan can create a legacy gift.
gifts options may reduce your tax liability.
These options are for informational purposes only, so
Charitable Gift from your IRA check with your financial advisor to see which giving
options are best for you.
A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA
can immediately impact the thousands of people you Supporters who include Radiant Health Centers in their
help us serve. A QCD is not a tax-deductible charitable planned gifts become a member of the Radiant Legacy
gift, though it may count toward the annual IRA Partners and receive special benefits. To learn more
required minimum distribution and not be deemed about your charitable bequest options, please get in
taxable income. Anyone 70 ½ or older is eligible and touch with Joe Alfano, Director of Individual Giving, at
may transfer up to $100,00 per year. (949) 809-5772 or jalfano@radianthealthcenters.org.
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