MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Dallas Ducar, the CEO of Transhealth. Photo courtesy of Dallas Ducar.Dallas Ducar
Dallas Ducar
Age: 31
Community: Western Massachusetts
Her Story: For Dallas Ducar, her role in transforming healthcare is one that is deeply personal, saying it “stems from recognizing the widespread need for a healthcare system that truly listens to and affirms each individual.”
Ducar has taken on numerous roles in healthcare — serving as a faculty member at Columbia University, the University of Virginia School of Nursing and the MGH Institute for Health Professionals. Ducar is also an American Academy of Nursing fellow and has worked in the transition team for the attorney general and the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Alliance, she said.
In her role at Transhealth, where she is CEO, Ducar said she focuses on a “revolutionary model of care — one that emphasizes the importance of treating the whole person in a way that allows them to be truly seen, heard, and affirmed.”
Ducar, a board-certified registered nurse and psychiatric health nurse practitioner, is also a transgender woman herself.
The independent healthcare center is one that “supports and empowers trans and gender-diverse individuals and families,” and which is rooted in Western Massachusetts, according to its website.
Ducar added that her leadership role is about “spearheading large-scale change” in healthcare, by challenging the status quo and advocating for a system that “prioritizes compassionate, comprehensive care.”
Through Transhealth, Ducar said the health center’s approach is “more humane, compassionate, and effective” in addressing all of its patients’ needs, with a mission to provide “the best healthcare possible to our community.”
Beyond the typical elements of healthcare, Ducar said Transhealth’s work creates a space for patients to “be themselves, unburdened by societal judgements or limits.” In turn, Ducar said human connections are nurtured and a sense of community is fostered among and between the clinic’s patients and staff.
Ducar stressed too that during recent “unprecedented” times, when many state governments nationwide are targeting trans and gender diverse individuals and enacting restrictions on gender-affirming care, particularly for young people, that Massachusetts has “become a beacon of hope and safety.”
“At Transhealth, we are at the forefront of this change, welcoming individuals seeking a place to call home,” she said. “We are not just providing healthcare services; we are offering a sanctuary where every person’s identity and experiences are respected and valued.”
Ducar said she wishes to see a healthcare industry which does more than simply treats illnesses, but rather supports the entirety of a person as well as their dignity and individuality.
“This work is vital for creating a society where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, can access healthcare that genuinely cares for them as a whole person,” Ducar said.
In her words: “Stay person-centered in your approach. Always remember that at the heart of healthcare transformation is the individual seeking compassionate and respectful care. Your work should always aim to enhance one’s experience and address the whole person.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
