Caroline J. Davidge-Pitts, M.B., B.Ch.

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SUMMARY

The research interests of Caroline J. Davidge-Pitts, M.B.B.Ch., are focused on optimizing the health outcomes of transgender and gender-diverse adults. Dr. Davidge-Pitts has a special interest in understanding the long-term effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy

Focus areas

• Studying the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on organ systems such as the skeleton, kidneys, lungs and heart.
• Improving cancer screening in transgender and gender-diverse people.
• Creating affirming clinical environments for LGBTQ+ people in subspecialty care at Mayo Clinic.
• Educating trainees in transgender health.

Significance to patient care

Transgender and gender-diverse people experience barriers in access to care for many reasons. The healthcare profession continues to face challenges in providing the best care for this population. Lambda Legal reports that 70% of transgender individuals have suffered some form of poor treatment at the hands of healthcare professionals, including harassment and violence. Suicide attempts among transgender individuals are high. Up to 60% of suicide attempts in this population occurred in those who reported that a healthcare professional refused to treat them.

Barriers to adequate care of this population include healthcare professionals having little or no formal training for addressing the needs of these patients. In addition, clear data is lacking on the long-term effects of hormone therapy on physiological systems. Dr. Davidge-Pitts and her team hope to close these gaps in the research to help health professionals improve care for transgender and gender-diverse people.

Professional highlights

• Associate practice chair, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, 2020-present.
• Board of directors, United States Professional Association for Transgender Health, 2021-2023.
• Chair, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, 2023.
• Co-executive sponsor, LGBTQ+ Mayo Employee Resource Group, Mayo Clinic, 2023.
• Transgender guidelines taskforce, College of American Pathologists, 2023.
• Co-chair, Transgender Research and Medicine Special Interest Group, Endocrine Society, 2021-2023.
• Transgender curriculum task force, Association of Program Directors in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, 2021.
• Mayo Clinic Award of Distinction, Principles in the Care of Transgender and Intersex Patients, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, 2021.