Central Outreach Wellness Center

Saved my life more times than once. Thank you for everything you do!

Genuinely one of the most disorganized places I've ever been. Nurses and doctors are great, but the main office people are some of the most unprofessional, and disorganized bunch I've ever experienced. I appreciate everything that Central does for the community, but I've had more friends burned from here than there should be. If this is the only safe place that queer people can go for medical assistance, I would expect the people at the office to treat us more than something that only matter whether or not they're clocked in. I understand these people have lives and their own struggles, but these people are in charge of MY HEALTH! If the health professionals obviously don't care, why should we feel safe or welcome there? Health is a serious matter, and I shouldn't feel like it's a college RA in charge of whether or not I get the help I need. This issue has grown and grown over the years of going to Central, and now I hear more people try to find other places they can go if they are able to afford it. They do not have time for people to pussyfoot around with health issues. I say this because I love the people there, and the people who use Central's services, but over time my friends and myself have had headache after headache when going through here.

The clinic itself is good and I appreciate the services being offered, but I got misgendered a lot - despite having my pronouns on the intake sheet - which I did not expect from an LGBT friendly organization

The clinic itself is good and I appreciate the services being offered, but I got misgendered a lot - despite having my pronouns on the intake sheet - which I did not expect from an LGBT friendly organization

COWC is and has been hands down the best Medical Center I have ever been to, they work with anyone and everyone if you don't have insurance & never turn anyone away. I've been going here for years and I send anyone of my friends to that has any type of STD concerned but are embarrassed etc with confidence. They've assisted me in getting my medications when I had no other way to do it, and continue to assist me. Any negative reviews you need to realize that this is the medical field and if anybody had any idea the amount of negative or even violent interactions that occur between medical staff and people every single day, you would definitely change your tune. They're just doing what they're trained to do, And at the end of the day they're only human - You're more than welcome to find anywhere else to go that would even come close to serving you with the same level of care and respect and anywhere else in this entire country.

In early November, I came here for the first time for treatment with my partner. As a transgender person I was already nervous as I never go to medical appointments or treatments due to prior bad experiences with medical professionals. My partner recommended this clinic as Central Outreach are known to provide affirming and inclusive treatment. While waiting to be called back, a medical assistant/nurse stated my dead name three times in a row, after the last time I stood up slowly and walked back into the room with her. The medical assistant/nurse asked, "You don't go by *dead name* do you?" "Your partner gave me a really disrespectful look, you should talk to her about it and tell her it was disrespectful to do that." I sat there quietly on the chair feeling already uncomfortable hearing my deadname after I had written my affirming name as asked on the intake form prior to coming in. After this I enter into another room now waiting for the doctor. I am assigned a white elderly cisgender man as my doctor, whereas my partner a (femme presenting person- was given women identifying providers and a whole different experience). The doctor also addresses me as my deadname while entering the room. I remove my mask to talk with the doctor and for him to examine me over. I explain my reasoning for coming in and how I applied treatment to the affected area the night prior, how it seems to be healing but wanting to still be tested. The doctor asked if I drool in my sleep and wake up with a wet pillow. Whenever he asked this, I genuine felt as though he was starting to minimize my experience and symptoms I was concerned about. He then stated the affected area could be from drooling in my sleep. The night prior the affected area had blisters- not just dry irritated red skin. So I start to become emotional and state I want to be tested. It was not until I was clearly upset this doctor proceeded to do what I asked in the first place. I did not feel respected, heard, or seen at this clinic. I was not instructed or informed how to receive my results after either. I left the clinic upset and distraught. As a patient who identifies outside of the gender binary, and as an organization that claims to be inclusive for individuals like myself- it did not feel welcoming. I hope my review helps others decide the kind of care and treatment they would like to receive- It is very important as a clinic to address individuals as their affirming name and pronouns. If you genuinely want to be a welcoming and inclusive space for all- you could at least start there.