Dr. Elda Fisher, our guest on today’s show, works with a highly disenfranchised cohort. Although transgender people make up 0.6% of the US population, they struggle with a lack of access to the kind of healthcare that Elda specializes in; facial gender affirmation surgery. As Elda explains, maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified to do this type of surgery, and she is hopeful that in the future, there will be a more well-developed connection between them and the patients who are seeking to feminize or masculinize their faces. In this episode, Elda explains the life changing capacity of gender affirmation surgery, and offers examples of some simple strategies that surgeons can use to ensure that there is congruency between their patient’s face and their intended gender. As director of the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program at the University of North Carolina, Elda also shares what she loves about working in an academic setting, some of the biggest learnings she has had during her time as a teacher, and the qualities that she looks for in potential residents.
Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dr. Elda Fisher — https://dentistry.unc.edu/people/elda-fisher/
Dr. Elda Fisher Email — elda.fisher@unc.edu
Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com
Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059