Webinar 4: Research and Campaigns focused on LGBTQ People, Health, and Wellbeing
- The webinar features a series of individual conversations with our expert panelists -
About Zori Paul
Zori Paul (she/her/hers) is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. She holds a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University and a BA in Comparative Human Development with a minor in Gender and Sexuality studies from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on the intersection of marginalized identities - specifically bisexual+ women of color - as well as cross-cultural relationships in professional development. Zori is also a therapist at Thoughts Out Loud Counseling, LLC and co-founder of Black in Mental Health, part of the online Black in X movement and initiatives to promote and amplify Black mental health professionals, researchers, and advocates.
About Dr. Kristie Seelman
Dr. Kristie Seelman (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor at the Georgia State University School of Social Work. Her research focuses on understanding and addressing health disparities affecting LGBTQIA+ people across the life course, including improving health services and education settings, developing affirming policies, and promoting resilience. Her current research projects focus on transgender adults’ experiences in accessing healthcare, resilience among LGBTQIA+ adults, and anti-racist policy analysis. Dr. Seelman’s research has been published in journals such as Social Work, Annals of LGBTQ Public & Population Health, Journal of Gender Based Violence, The Gerontologist, and International Journal of Transgender Health. Her research has received media attention from outlets such as The Washington Post, Slate, The Academic Minute (NPR), and Newsweek. Dr. Seelman received her PhD and MSW degrees from the University of Denver and bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Allegheny College.
About Dr. John L. Whitehead
Dr. John L. Whitehead (he/him/his) is a multi-board-certified general surgeon and specialist in gender affirming surgery. After completing medical school at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Whitehead completed a five-year general surgery residency at the same institution. He trained as a trauma surgeon at Cook County Hospital. He completed a fellowship in critical care at Northwestern University. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Whitehead and his husband Dr. Ramirez found there was a great void in providers who would truly deliver non-judgmental care to patients who might have different ideals or values than themselves. Together they created Restore Medical Center to fundamentally change the way care is delivered to their transgender brothers and sisters – not from a technical aspect, but from a human aspect. Their practice is in Miami, Florida and is dedicated solely to gender affirmation surgery.