Health is a Human Right

Your health matters. Fostering respectful and affirming healthcare for the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Debra is an accomplished and dedicated professional with a unique blend of expertise in public health, bioethics, and gender studies.  She is currently a 3rd-year Ph.D. candidate in Bioethics at Case Western Reserve University.  

She holds an MA in bioethics from the Ohio State University (2021) and an MSc in Public Health from Sweden's Lund University (2017). She received her BAs, also from Ohio State, in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Communication Analysis (2015).

Debra’s diverse background enhances her interdisciplinary approach to complex bioethical issues related to gender and sexuality. Her research is committed to integrating comprehensive and informed perspectives into healthcare research and practice, aiming to promote understanding and equity within the healthcare system for marginalized voices. 

She uses a queer bioethics approach to explore topics on transgender mental health, reproductive ethics for transgender and intersex individuals, and sexual health disparities for LGBTQIA populations. Debra has shared her work both nationally and internationally, publishing and presenting on topics such as mental health inequities for transgender adults, reproductive preservation options for intersex children, analysis of the similarities and differences in clinical care between transgender and intersex persons, and healthcare access for transgender refugees in the EU. 

Passionate about advocacy, education, and ethics, Debra hopes her research will enable meaningful change in both healthcare and society for LGBTQIA individuals. She is driven by a vision of a world where all sexual and gender identities are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, allowing us all to live full lives as our authentic selves.

Transgender Rights EU 2017

AMA: PhD Bioethics Program at CWRU

Trans Matters Worldwide UK

Research Interests

  • Queer Bioethics

  • LGBTQ+ Healthcare

  • Sexual and Reproductive Health

  • Transgender and Gender-Expansive Populations

  • Intersex Healthcare

  • Public Health Ethics

  • Reproductive Health Ethics

Imagine if we lived in a world that embraced all sexual and gender identities with open arms. A world where you never had to justify, explain, or defend who you are, but were simply accepted unconditionally. Where you could access healthcare from providers who understand and affirm your needs. Where you could live as your true authentic self at home, at work, and in all parts of society without fear of discrimination or harm.

Imagine feeling seen, valued, and secure in your identity. No longer carrying the burden of trauma, rejection, or suppression. Never again face those questioning looks and skeptical voices telling you something is wrong with you. Imagine the relief of being able to thrive as you, shaping your own path, pursuits, and purpose without limitation.

This is the future we can build together. Through sharing your stories and needs, we can open minds, alter policies, and transform systems for the better. My research aims to elevate your voice, so you can live freely and achieve your full potential. The path won't always be smooth, but with persistence and compassion, we will get there. You give me hope and drive to create meaningful change.


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