Trans-Friendly Doctors in the US: Your Complete Guide
Editor:
Olena Kosonogova
Author:
Olena Kosonogova
Olena Kosonogova (she/her), is PR Manager and a writer at Fiorry. Olena has a background as a psychologist and social work specialist, offering her a distinct viewpoint in her position. She effectively oversees public relations and produces insightful content. Based on her experience, she has a unique insight into human interaction and the significance of effective communication. When not busy with her profession, Olena loves her free time and balancing it out with tennis, taking her out and about, and a game of good chess that will challenge the mind.
Key Takeaways
Most medical schools spend maybe an hour on transgender health—if that. This means doctors graduate having never received training about HRT protocols, gender-affirming procedures, or even basic “don’t be weird about it” skills. Too many trans people walk into appointments ready to play educator instead of patient. That’s exhausting, and frankly, it shouldn’t be your job.
But don’t worry, there are trans-friendly Doctors in the US, providing competent, respectful care that acknowledges your identity while addressing your actual health needs.
Before we look at them…
Why Finding Trans-Friendly Doctors Isn’t Optional
When you avoid the healthcare provider because you’re dreading the misgendering, the weird questions, or that look of barely concealed confusion from staff, you’re not getting preventive medicine. You’re skipping screenings, ignoring symptoms, and putting off addressing health concerns until they’re emergencies.
That’s a problem.
Trans patients face higher rates of certain health care conditions—not because being trans makes you inherently sick, but because systemic barriers mean issues go unaddressed. Depression and anxiety rates spike when you’re constantly fighting to be seen as yourself. HIV rates are elevated in some trans communities, partly due to a lack of access to preventive care and education.
A truly trans-friendly doctor doesn’t just tolerate your existence—they understand the specific health considerations. They know how testosterone affects FTM patients beyond just facial hair. They understand that MTF people on estrogen need monitoring for different health markers.
They’re aware that non-binary and gender diverse patients might want hormone therapy that doesn’t fit binary transition narratives. If you’re navigating life in cities like Miami, connecting with the local trans community through trans in Miami platforms can help you find both social support and healthcare recommendations from people who’ve been there.
Top Trans-Friendly Doctors Across the United States
1. Dr. Madeline Deutsch — San Francisco, California
Dr. Madeline Deutsch is basically the name in transgender medicine. As Professor of Clinical Family & Community Medicine at UCSF and Medical Director of UCSF Transgender Care, she’s literally written the guidelines that providers nationwide use for trans patients. She practices primary care with a specialty in comprehensive transgender healthcare—gender-affirming hormone therapy, mental health services, surgical prep and aftercare, routine health maintenance, the whole package.
UCSF’s integrated model means if you’re her patient, you can access other specialists who actually communicate with each other. Whether you’re FTM, MTF, or non-binary, she’s worked with patients across the entire spectrum. The Bay Area’s huge trans community means she’s seen everything, and trans dating Los Angeles isn’t far if you’re looking to connect with the broader West Coast trans scene.
2. Dr. Asa Radix — New York City, New York
Dr. Asa Radix brings a unique perspective as both a primary care physician, family medicine expert, and a transgender man. As Senior Director of Research and Education at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, he’s an internationally recognized expert in transgender health. He’s published extensively, presents at conferences worldwide, and has shaped clinical guidelines for gender-affirming care for gender diverse people.
His research focuses on improving health outcomes for trans patients, and he’s particularly interested in how we can make medical services more accessible and less traumatizing. His patient panel fills up quickly because, well, he’s that good. But even if you can’t get in with him directly, he’s trained many other excellent providers at Callen-Lorde. New York’s trans community is massive, and trans dating apps like Fiorry can help you tap into those networks for both healthcare recommendations and social connections.
Connect with trans people on Fiorry today!
3. Dr. Juno Obedin-Maliver — Stanford, California
Dr. Juno Obedin-Maliver is an OB/GYN and health services researcher at Stanford who co-founded The PRIDE Study—the largest long-term health study of LGBTQ people in the USA. While her specialty is gynecology, she practices with a deep understanding of how gender identity intersects with all aspects of health. She’s a fierce advocate for improving queer and trans health through both research and clinical practice.
What sets Dr. Obedin-Maliver apart is her dual focus on individual patient care and systemic change. She’s not just treating patients—she’s generating the research that will improve comprehensive care for future generations. Her clinical work reflects her research expertise: she understands not just the medical aspects of caring for transgender patients, but the systemic barriers they face accessing inclusive care.
4. Dr. Robert Garofalo — Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Robert Garofalo is Director of the Gender & Sex Development Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern. While he primarily works with adolescents and young adults, his expertise in transgender health has made him a leading voice in the field. He’s published over 200 peer-reviewed articles on LGBTQ adolescent health and has been instrumental in developing best practices for trans patients.
While his practice focuses on younger patients, he’s trained numerous providers who work with adults, and his research informs how doctors across age ranges provide care for trans patients. Chicago has a robust trans community, and connecting through trans dating near me platforms can help you find both social support and healthcare recommendations from locals who know the scene.
5. Dr. Dara Hoffman-Fox — Boulder, Colorado
Dr. Dara Hoffman-Fox is a licensed professional counselor specializing in gender identity. While not a physician prescribing hormones, she’s an essential part of many people’s healthcare team. She provides therapy for people exploring their gender identity, support through transition, and writes letters for gender-affirming surgeries. Her book “You and Your Gender Identity: A Guide to Discovery” is widely used.
She works with adults of all ages and understands that gender exploration doesn’t follow a timeline—people come to understand their gender identity at different life stages. Her approach is affirming without being prescriptive: she helps you figure out what’s right for you rather than pushing any particular path. For those in Colorado exploring both their identity and connections with others, the trans community in surrounding areas like San Jose tgirls and Fresno TS scenes offer additional perspective and community.
6. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy — Los Angeles, California
Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy is Medical Director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles and Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at USC. She’s one of the most prominent voices in transgender youth healthcare and has been providing gender-affirming care for over 15 years.
Dr. Olson-Kennedy’s work focuses on comprehensive medical services for transgender and gender-expansive youth. She provides hormone therapy, coordinates surgical care, and conducts research on long-term health outcomes for trans patients. She’s published extensively and frequently speaks about the importance of access to care for transgender young people.
Her approach is grounded in the understanding that delaying care causes harm. She advocates for informed consent models that respect young people’s agency while providing appropriate support. While her practice focuses on youth, her research and advocacy impact how all ages receive transgender care.
7. Dr. Joshua Safer — New York City, New York
Dr. Joshua Safer is Executive Director of the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery and Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine. He’s an endocrinologist who specializes in hormone therapy for transgender adults and has been a leading researcher in transgender health for over two decades.
What makes him notable is his combination of clinic excellence and healthcare equality. He’s been vocal about the importance of access to gender-affirming treatment and has pushed back against legislative efforts to restrict that access. His practice at Mount Sinai is part of a comprehensive center that provides everything from primary care to surgical services, meaning your care is coordinated across specialties.
8. Dr. Anand Ganesan — Orlando, Florida
Dr. Anand Ganesan is a dermatologist at the University of Central Florida who has expertise in laser hair removal and other dermatological aspects of gender transition. While not a primary care doctor, dermatologists like Dr. Ganesan play an important role in transition-related care—laser hair removal for MTF patients, acne management for FTM patients starting testosterone, and addressing skin changes from hormone therapy.
Orlando has a growing trans community, and US trans dating platforms can help you connect with locals who can share recommendations for other affirming providers in the area. Finding a dermatologist who gets the importance of hair removal or skin care in your transition journey makes a real difference in your overall wellbeing.
9. Dr. Cecile Ferrando — Cleveland, Ohio
Dr. Cecile Ferrando is a gynecologic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic who specializes in gender-affirming surgeries, particularly gender-affirming hysterectomy and vaginoplasty. While she’s a surgeon rather than a primary care doctor, surgeons who specialize in trans care are crucial members of the healthcare ecosystem for many people.
Dr. Ferrando completed fellowship training specifically in transgender surgery, which means she has dedicated expertise beyond what most OB-GYNs receive. She’s published research on surgical techniques and outcomes for transgender patients and presents nationally on best practices in gender-affirming surgery. Her patients consistently report that she’s respectful, skilled, and makes the surgical process less intimidating.
10. Dr. Maurice Garcia — San Francisco, California
Dr. Maurice Garcia is a urologist at UCSF who specializes in adolescent medicine and gender-affirming genital surgeries. As a urologist with specific training in transgender surgery, he performs procedures like phalloplasty, metoidioplasty, and urethral lengthening for FTM patients. His surgical expertise is complemented by his understanding of the emotional and psychological aspects of these procedures.
UCSF’s comprehensive transgender health program means if you’re working with Dr. Garcia for surgery, you have access to excellent pre-op and post-op care through providers who specialize in trans patients.
The coordination between surgical and non-surgical care makes the process smoother and less stressful. Connecting with others who’ve been through similar procedures through trans dating communities can provide invaluable peer support during your surgical journey.
Finding LGBTQ-Friendly Primary Care in Your Area
If none of these specific doctors are accessible to you, don’t panic. Start by searching for LGBTQ health centers in your region—even smaller cities often have community health centers that serve LGBTQ populations. The GLMA (Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality) maintains a provider directory where you can search by location and specialty.
Finding a healthcare team that sees all of you—not just your gender identity but your complete self—changes everything about how you move through the world
Cities like Houston have growing trans communities, where trans dating Houston connect you with people who can share provider recommendations. Las Vegas also has robust networks — Las Vegas trans communities often discuss which doctors are worth seeing and which to avoid.
When vetting a potential provider, call their office and ask directly: “How many transgender patients does the doctor currently see?” or “What’s your experience with hormone therapy management?” These questions reveal whether they’re truly experienced or just well-intentioned but inexperienced.
You want someone who’s seen dozens or hundreds of trans patients with compassionate care, not someone for whom you’ll be the first.
Building Community Around Healthcare
Finding good healthcare is easier when you’re connected to your local trans community. Other trans people can recommend providers, warn you about who to avoid, and offer support when you’re dealing with medical challenges. These connections translate directly into better healthcare access because you’re tapping into collective knowledge that no Google search can match.
To find these people, Try Fiorry.
Fiorry is a dating app build specifically for the trans and LGBTQ community. You’ll find a community filled with people who understand your experiences.
Instead of wasting time trying to learn how to find trans women on tinder, download Fiorry to connect with trans folks in your area who’ve navigated the healthcare system and can share what worked for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an endocrinologist for hormone therapy?
Not necessarily. Many experienced primary care doctors can prescribe and monitor HRT. Endocrinologists help with complex cases or non-standard responses.
Will my insurance cover transgender healthcare?
Many plans now cover hormone therapy and some surgeries, but coverage varies by state and plan. Community health centers often offer sliding-scale fees.
How do I know if a doctor is actually trans-competent?
Ask how many trans patients they currently see, whether they follow WPATH guidelines, and request references from other trans patients if possible.
Time to read: 11 min.
PR Manager
Olena Kosonogova
Access to affirming healthcare isn’t a luxury—it’s what allows us to show up for ourselves and actually live, not just survive