Master of Nursing alum Leslie McCarthy was working as nurse practitioner in primary health care when she realized she and her colleagues had insufficient information and training when it came to transgender health care.
“I was approached by a client and felt I was ill-equipped to provide them with affirming care. I spoke with a colleague who was able to point me in the right direction and that experience prompted me to pursue World Professional Association for Transgender Health [WPATH] certification,” she says.
Originally from Amherst, N.S., McCarthy moved to Cape Breton 20 years ago and works at Nova Scotia Health’s Cape Breton Regional Hospital. She was inspired by a nurse practitioner there to apply to the Master of Nursing program at Dalhousie and graduated in 2020. Her goal as a health-care professional is to ensure equity in health care and create meaningful change.
“Without constantly interrogating the way things are, and being willing to tear down our barriers, things will always be the way they are,” she says. “Recognizing my privilege as a cis hetero provider, I understand that we might not be able to dismantle existing systems, but we can do our part to be more knowledgeable in our field and offer care that is equitable.”
“Without constantly interrogating the way things are, and being willing to tear down our barriers, things will always be the way they are.”
She is now closing in on the goal of becoming certified by WPATH. McCarthy has completed all requirements for certification and is awaiting a final examination, choosing to specialize in both mental and physical health.
“The WPATH provides a full-bodied understanding of how intersectional issues can disproportionately affect members of the transgender community, starting with the social determinants of health and how to integrate best practice and evidence-informed care into my own practice,” she says.
The program aims to eliminate barriers to transgender health by training participants to complete WPATH assessments, prescribe and monitor gender-affirming hormones, and complete surgical readiness assessments.
“Working in primary care was very busy with a diverse range of patients. I treated a few trans folks and realized I didn’t have as much information as I needed and there were huge gaps in their care,” she says. “All people deserve the best care we can provide. With that in mind, I wanted to advance my knowledge in transgender health, so I took preliminary courses, spoke to people with lived experience and eventually, I took more advanced courses with the goal of becoming WPATH certified.”
“All people deserve the best care we can provide. With that in mind, I wanted to advance my knowledge in transgender health, so I took preliminary courses, spoke to people with lived experience and eventually, I took more advanced courses with the goal of becoming WPATH certified.”
After working in primary care, McCarthy pursued a career specializing in psychiatry and mental health. She completed the certificate in Mental Health and Addictions for Nurse Practitioners through the University of Toronto as well as the advanced WPATH education. She also recently incorporated a business, Chrysalis Health and Wellness. McCarthy chose the name because of the symbolism of the cocoon and how it speaks to working through things in our own time, both with mental health and gender-affirming care. When the practice opens in 2025, she will provide mental health care, transition affirmation, and some newer neuromodulation therapies.
She says her passion for advancing causes of equity, diversity, and inclusion was sparked by her time at Dalhousie. “Dal opened my eyes to a bigger reality. Prior to coming to the university, I was working in a very small region. Dalhousie broadened my knowledge base for sure. I really enjoyed my experience here.”
“Dal opened my eyes to a bigger reality."
When she has spare time, she loves to hike and travel, enjoying challenging, multi-day hikes with her family. Her daughter Grace McCarthy is finishing her first year in Kinesiology, continuing the Dal legacy. Grace is inspired to go into the health care field and get WPATH certification as well.
This story appeared in the DAL Magazine Fall 2024 issue. Flip through the rest of the issue using the links below.