Hello WPATH Members,

We are excited to offer WPATH Members more ways to participate in the continued growth of the Global Education Institute (GEI) as we strive to provide enriching programs to our colleagues to enhance their skills, knowledge, and awareness in the 4 competency domains of trans/gender diverse healthcare.

In 2020, the GEI Committee and key volunteer leaders participated in a 3-part strategic planning process which was approved by the Board of Directors. Part of this plan included a hub (GEI Steering Group) and spokes (called GEI Committees) model, to increase member engagement and involvement opportunities in GEI.

Listed below are four (4) Committees of the GEI Steering Group that are recruiting and seeking application for new members. Please see below for more information about the purpose/mission and structure for each committee.

We are particularly seeking committee members who will broaden and deepen the diversity of volunteers in the GEI Committee in such areas as geographically diverse regions, trans/gender diverse identity, race, ethnicity, age, abilities, professions, languages spoken, and more. We strongly encourage all interested members to apply for these volunteer opportunities. Members applying for a volunteer position within the GEI Committee must meet the following requirements:
 

• Be a WPATH member or student member in good standing since 2023 (minimum 1 year experience in WPATH).
• Sign a statement agreeing to support the latest version of the WPATH Standards of Care.
• Sign a statement agreeing to adhere to the latest version of the WPATH Ethical Standards.

We invite you to apply for these open committee positions, as noted previously. After review by the GEI Steering Group, selected committee members will be notified by January 2025.

Global Education Institute Committees

1. Certification and Mentorship Committee (Committee Co-Leads: Lin Fraser, EdD, LCPC, MFT & Jennifer Slovis, MD)

The Certification & Mentorship Committee is dedicated to ensuring that members meet/continue to meet the requirements to obtain/maintain their WPATH GEI certification. The Committee will review and monitor the mentoring process of members through their individual and group mentorship agreements.

The Committee’s goal also parallels GEI’s mission to increase access to competent compassionate clinicians worldwide. The Certification & Mentorship Committee will work to expand the GEI Certification program globally by connecting/collaborating with providers and community organizations.

We are seeking applications from current WPATH GEI SOC8 Medical and Mental Health Mentors to work with the committee to continue to monitor and improve our existing mentorship programs and certification. In addition, we are seeking applications from current WPATH members around the world, especially those who have existing ties to, or reside in, regions with little or no access to competent, trained clinicians.

2. Curriculum Development Committee (Committee Co-Leads: Kelly Ducheny, PsyD & Ole-Petter Hamnvik, MD)

The Curriculum Development Committee will focus on establishing the core curricular components for GEI trainings about transgender healthcare. The GEI curriculum framework is based on a set of four competency domains that have global applicability: Patient/Client-Caregiver Relationship; Content Knowledge; Interdisciplinary Practice; and Professional Responsibility.

Committee work will include establishing objectives that map to the standardized competency-based framework such that essential content provided to attendees will be consistent across trainers. The Committee’s work will serve to assist trainers by maintaining educational resources. The committee will also work to update core curricular components to remain consistent with the SOC8 and with new literature in the field as it emerges.

We are seeking applications from professionals to represent multiple focus areas, including legal/policy/ethics, medical/nursing/clinical care, mental health, physical/occupational therapy, surgery, and voice and communication.

3. Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Committee (Committee Co-Leads: Pier-Maude Lanteigne, MD & Wallace Wong, PsyD)

The Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Committee will find creative ways to include marginalized or under-utilized contributors to the curriculum development and/or course delivery in every topic area. When programs are regionalized, the Committee will assist with including and featuring regional representatives in both program development and delivery.

We are seeking applications from professionals who have experience and/or interest in community engagement and participation and in advancing these efforts within GEI. In addition, we are seeking applications from current WPATH members who have existing ties to, or reside in, regions with little or no access to competent, trained clinicians.

4. Faculty Development Committee (Committe Co-Leads: David Bathory, PsyD & Erika Sullivan, MD)

The Faculty Development Committee will identify qualified individuals who are teaching healthcare professionals who work with the trans/gender diverse community. Our goal is to increase faculty diversity of all forms (gender identity, race, region, age, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, ethnicity, faith/spirituality, and more). The WPATH GEI curriculum is the basis of the material that faculty use in their presentations.

We are seeking applications from professionals around the world who have experience in teaching, from the following areas:

• Medical and Allied Health Professionals
• Mental Health Professionals
• Voice and Communication Professionals
• Legal and Policy Professionals
• Members with Community and/or other Organization roles to build regional and global volunteer engagement and representation