LGBTQ+ Veteran care
VA West Texas health care employees receive training in clinical care that is responsive to the unique needs of LGBQ+ Veterans. Our trained LGBQ+ Veteran care coordinators are fully equipped to support the health, welfare, and dignity of you and your family.
Connect with a care coordinator
Brenda Risch PhD, LCSW
LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator, Women’s Mental Health Champion
VA West Texas health care
Phone:
Email: brenda.risch2@va.gov
Care we provide at VA West Texas health care
Our LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinators can answer your questions, advocate for your right to quality care, handle complaints or concerns you have about your care, and help you get started with any of our services for LGBTQ+ Veterans.
We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of all Veterans and their families. We focus on ensuring a safe and welcoming environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:
• Hormone therapy in limited circumstances
• Substance use and alcohol treatment
• Testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• Mental health care
- Learn more and connect with a care coordinator
- Other Resources:
- LGBTQ+ Veteran Health Education
Create VA.gov Account
Policies and practices to know
The care coordinator can help you get started with care or with navigating any of these issues.
Visitation: A same-sex partner, family member, friend, or other individual can be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of the patient's stay.
Definition of family: "Family" may include individual(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, different-sex and same-sex significant others.
Advance directives: Veterans may designate any person as a decision-maker for care if they won't be able to make these decisions themselves. This includes same-sex partners. Advance directive agents are chosen by the Veteran and do not need to be biologically related.
Documentation in medical records: VA West Texas maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sex identity, just like any other private health information.
Changing name or sex in records: Your name in your medical record will reflect your legal name. The sex in your medical record should reflect your self-identified sex. You have the right to request that your name and sex are updated as appropriate. There are established procedures for changing your name and sex with the VA Privacy Officer.