This is a 2 day live-online course designed to equip physical therapists with the background knowledge of LGBTQIA+ healthcare, gender affirming hormones, tucking/binding considerations, review of gender affirming surgeries, and sexual health considerations for patients who are transgender/gender diverse.
With special guests: Kristina Fitzgerald, Alex Papale and Christy C. Ciesla
*minimum of 24 participants required for this course
Important Information
The Physical Therapy Approach to Female Urinary Incontinence – Entry level (or equivalent)
Registration
- 01
Course Objectives
- The learner will be able to identify and utilize LGBTQIA+ inclusive verbal and written language, outline barriers to adequate LGBTQIA+ care faced by providers and patients, and outline the general health care needs of LGBTQIA+ community.
- Identify hormonal treatment options for patients who are transgender/non-binary/gender diverse
- The learner will have a comprehensive understanding of the various gender affirming surgeries that are currently available for patients who are transgender/gender diverse
- Complete manual techniques/treatment techniques specific to pre/post gender affirming surgeries
- Learner will identify how physical therapy can be involved in pre/intra/post-operative care
- Identify sexual health considerations as it pertains to the LGBTQIA+ community
- 02
Course Schedule
Day 1 : 10:00 - 17:00 Live-online learning (Montreal Time)
Day 2 : 10:00 - 17:00 Live-online learning (Montreal Time)
Your Instructors:
Kristina Fitzgerald, LATC, MSPT, DPT, PRPC, (she/her) is a Doctor of Physical Therapy in the department of pelvic rehabilitation at Miriam Hospital. She graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Rhode Island. Kristina Completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is a Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner. She is currently a clinical specialist physical therapist at Miriam Hospital and staff physical therapist at a skilled nursing facility in Rhode Island. Kristina co-authored a continuing education course on physical therapy care of patients who are transgender and gender diverse. She is Contributing Faculty at URI’s Doctor of Therapy Program. She was a guest speaker at the WPATH’s 2020 Surgeon’s Day to discuss how physical therapy plays a critical role in patient care before and after gender affirming surgeries.
Kristina Fitzgerald
LATC, MSPT, DPT, PRCPC
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Alex Papale PT, DPT (they/them) is a pelvic health physical therapist and sex educator based in Boston, MA. They treat patients at Flourish Physical Therapy, as well as develop and teach trainings and continuing education courses on sexual and pelvic health, BDSM, and LGBTQ+ healthcare. Alex began their professional career as an inclusivity consultant for a major medical institution in Boston, while co-creating and teaching one of the first national con-ed courses on pelvic health PT for the trans and gender non-conforming population. Since then, they’ve lead over 20 workshops and trainings to audiences ranging from a handful of people to national conferences on sex toys, kink, pelvic health, and gender, and they continue to expand their specialized training as a sex educator.
Alex Papale
PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Christy Ciesla, PT, DPT, PRPC (she/her) manages Pelvic Rehabilitation Services for The Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. Ciesla graduated from Syracuse University in 1998 with a degree in physical therapy and later received her doctorate from Utica College. Dr. Ciesla is a board-certified pelvic rehabilitation practitioner, skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic dysfunction. She is a member of the APTA, IPPS, and WPATH, and has served as both chair and vice chair of the Rhode Island Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Special Interest Group. Ciesla is a credentialed clinical instructor and mentors other physical therapists, medical students and residents interested in her area of expertise She serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Rhode Island and as a guest lecturer at Brown University. Dr. Ciesla has a co-authored a continuing education course for trans/gender diverse patients, both before and after gender affirming surgeries and procedures, and also served as a guest speaker at the 2020 WPATH Surgeon’s Day to discuss the role physical therapy plays before and after gender affirming care.
Christy C. Ciesla
PT, DPT, PRC
Doctor of Physical Therapy