Letter from WSNA president to Seattle Children’s Hospital regarding gender-affirming care
"We stand with trans kids, their families, and the numerous voices urging Seattle Children’s Hospital to resume its position as an advocate and full care provider for trans patients."
February 7, 2025 • 1 minute, 8 seconds to read
February 7, 2025
Jeff Sperring, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Seattle Children's Hospital
4800 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Re: Restore all care to transgender pediatric patients
Dear Dr. Sperring,
On behalf of the more than 21,000 members of the Washington State Nurses Association, including 2,100 registered nurses represented by WSNA at Seattle Children's Hospital, I write to urge you to reaffirm your leadership in providing all gender-affirming care – including surgeries – to your patients.
Despite the news articles stating that the Hospital has been canceling scheduled gender-affirming surgeries for patients – and the reports from front-line nurses who work directly with these patients – the Hospital’s silence over why it is choosing to abruptly halt its full provision of care to transgender kids is deafening. It is not an over-statement to say that the Hospital’s decision is life-threatening.
We believe all gender-affirming care is critical to provide trans kids with necessary medical and mental health resources. Indeed, Children’s has historically been a leader in providing this kind of care, and WSNA commends the courage the Hospital has demonstrated in the past to protect its patients’ privacy and their right to treatment. This is why the Hospital’s decision – what appears to be a premature capitulation to an Executive Order which does not require the Hospital to take any action – is so disturbing. Frankly, the Hospital’s silence regarding its retreat from providing the full panoply of gender-affirming care comes across as a desertion of leadership in this field.
We stand with trans kids, their families, and the numerous voices urging Seattle Children’s Hospital to resume its position as an advocate and full care provider for trans patients. You commendably promote the principle of health equity. This is a critically important time to commit to putting that principle into action.
Sincerely,
Justin Gill, DNP, APRN, RN
President
Washington State Nurses Association