WORCESTER — On May 13, 2024, Chrissi Bates became the first patient to receive a gender-affirming vaginoplasty at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, the first such procedure performed outside Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
“It’s really just about trying to be my most authentic self,” Bates said told WGBH. “I feel like I’m making history, I really do. I know it happens in Boston, but for this area, it significantly changes the landscape for access to care.”
Bates is among many in Massachusetts seeking gender-affirming surgeries as insurance coverage for transgender care expands. According to a Columbia University study, published last year, about 50,000 patients underwent gender-affirming surgery from 2016 – 2020. However, access to transgender healthcare remains limited, especially in rural areas.
According to a 2022 Fenway Health/Harvard University study, over a quarter of transgender patients in rural regions – including parts of Massachusetts – lack access to gender-affirming primary care, and over half of respondents said they have to travel at least two hours to see a doctor.
Dr. Ashley Alford, Bates’ surgeon, joined UMass with the aim of addressing this gap. She plans to establish the TRANScend Clinic at UMass for gender-affirming surgical and psychological care. “It’s all about accessibility,” Alford said. “I’m hoping to build it and they will come.”
Bates, who overcame a challenging upbringing and now works with homeless youth in Worcester, sought gender-affirming care at UMass after years of therapy. Her positive experience at the hospital made her feel affirmed and respected. “I broke down,” she said, “because it’s just so nice to see doctors actually hearing my concerns.”
Bates continues to follow up with Dr. Alford and adjust to her new body, feeling increasingly confident. “Every time I wake up, I’m just like, ‘wow, this is even more me. I’m becoming more me,’” she said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to be who I actually am.”