Open Door Health: Up & Running Through COVID

Open Door Health: Affirming Healthcare for All

by Cassie Sutten Coats

Compassionate, affirming healthcare is the foundation for Open Door Health, Providence’s new primary care facility dedicated to serving local LGBTQ+ communities. As an initiative of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, Open Door Health’s mission is to reduce health disparities and improve health equity.

Open Door Health launched in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began taking off in Rhode Island, and has since provided comprehensive primary care both inperson at its Providence-based clinic and via telemedicine. Primary care services include adult and pediatric primary care, HIV primary care and prevention, comprehensive STI screening and treatment, and gender-affirming care.

“The last six months have been an exercise in humility and agility,” says Medical Director, Dr. Matt Murphy. “We’re privileged to be an asset to our neighbors and our communities in a time that is so full of uncertainty.”

Murphy leads Open Door Health alongside Executive Director Dr. Amy Nunn, who developed clinical services based on input and feedback from patients and community stakeholders. Staff and leadership approach their positions as allies and advocates to their patients. “We welcome all comers!” Dr, Nunn says. “We serve everyone, irrespective of their race, income, gender, sexual identity or gender expression.”

Open Door Health accepts all insurance and is in-network with most major insurance companies. They offer sliding scale fee discounts and flexible paymentplans for services to ensure that cost is not a barrier to care.

Open Door Health is currently accepting new patients. They are also looking for new staff to join their growing team. Open positions include full- and part-time physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. Interested parties may search available positions and apply online at indeed. com/cmp/Rhode-Island-Public-Health- Institute.