First conference of it kind dedicated to highlighting LGBTQ issues

The conference, as noted above, the first of its kind at Hillel Yaffe and in the Hadera region, was opened with greetings from Deputy Administrative Director and Gender Equality Officer, Lihi Ron, Adv.; Director of the Ministry for Social Equality, Mr. Adi Shamai; Hadera Municipality's LGBTQ Director, Mr. Or Neuman, and representatives of the Department of Social Welfare in Hadera. All the speakers addressed the importance of the conference and the need to become familiar with the diverse and complex needs of the LGBTQ population. The latter thanked Dr. Dikla Dahan Shriki, Deputy Director General of Hillel Yaffe Medical Center and Prof. Einat Shalom Paz, Director of the IVF Unit, for their partnership in organizing the conference.

Conference promoting LGBTQ issues at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in conjunction with Hadera Municipality

Later, Mr. Ofer Erez, the first transgender officer in the IDF and former CEO of Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance, spoke. Specialists from Hillel Yaffe Medical Center also spoke and presented the various services provided to the LGBTQ community at the hospital, including fertility preservation, breast surgery for transgender men, sexual health promotion and urology services. A lecture was also given by the LGBTQ Services Director at Tel Aviv Medical Center.

Professional staff from the hospital and community who are likely to encounter LGBTQ treatment and service issues in their work participated in the event. The highlight was a hands-on workshop which focused on simulations of medical conditions and appropriate provision of service or treatment to the LGBTQ community.