FALLS CHURCH, Va. (7News) — After opening its doors in 2022 with just a handful of patients, Inova’s Pride Clinic is serving nearly 1,100 members of the northern Virginia LGBTQ community.
7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez first reported on the primary care clinic two years ago and stopped by during Pride Month to see how the health services are going.
The Falls Church clinic focuses on preventative medicine, sexual health, mental health and starting in July, cardiology.
“It’s great to have Pride Month and we can celebrate our community and elevate everyone, but this is a year-round thing,” said patient Kristian Maldonado.
Maldonado moved to the DMV from Nevada and read about the Pride Clinic from 7News.
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“Coming to this clinic, it really changed my life. It made me find a safe place where I do not have to worry about that anymore. And it was revolutionary, in my opinion,” he told Sanchez.
The welcoming environment is apparent even before walking inside. A pride flag is displayed on the door and rainbow decorations line the waiting room.
Medical Director Dr. Jorge Ramallo said it is a place where patients can feel free to share everything, without judgment.
“It makes me feel fantastic. I think it makes me feel like I’m really making a difference because I can actually connect with the patient at a deeper level sometimes because they can feel free to understand that I have their lived experience,” he said.
There are providers at the clinic that are not a part of the LGBTQ community but Dr. Ramallo said they understand the needs of the population.
