Jonathan Lucas-Neel understands what his patients are dealing with, because he’s been there himself.
As a queer person living in Appalachia, Jonathan has faced discrimination in healthcare on numerous occasions and empathizes with everyone forced to fight for acceptance, visibility, and care. Yet, amidst these challenges, Jonathan has witnessed firsthand the incredible resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
He says that, often, this strength comes from the support of the families and communities they’ve chosen for themselves.
“It’s knowing the impact that genuinely compassionate, accepting environments can have that motivates me in my work as an inclusive healthcare provider.”
Inspired to pursue a career in healthcare thanks in part to his nurse grandmother—who always emphasized that all people deserve dignity and respect—Jonathan began his professional journey in healthcare in 2015, finding his way to WV Health Right through a clinical rotation as a nurse practitioner.
Not long after, he helped establish the EquaHealth program to serve Charleston’s LGBTQ+ community and now treats an array of patients seeking judgment-free healthcare on a regular basis.
In time, Jonathan hopes that it will be possible to build a community where every person is free to live authentically and can receive the care they need without fear of stigma or discrimination.
“Our community is stronger when we stand together. Here at WV Health Right, we’re working to create a space that empowers our patients to be healthy and successful in the ways that they define for themselves.”
To learn more about WV Health Right’s EquaHealth program and the services available, click here.
