Where do you call home?
Chicago, IL.
What are your clinical or research interests?
Improving access to gender-affirming care for young people, transition medicine (particularly how we transition gender-diverse youth to adult providers seamlessly and safely), adolescent confidentiality, and adolescent utilization of patient portals.
What current policy issue motivates you to be an advocate?
State attacks/bans on gender-affirming care have led so many patients to seek care in Washington and specifically at Seattle Children’s. Hearing the stories of families trying to do what is best for their children and the numerous barriers and discrimination and fear that they have to face in order to do that is what motivates me the most to be an advocate.
What local justice-centered organization do you wish we knew about?
Ingersoll Gender Center.
What is bringing you joy these days?
My kids! I have a 5yo, 3yo, and 2yo, and they fill my world with happiness and hope and make me so optimistic for the future.
Our Meet Our Advocates series showcases the talents and passion of one of our doctors and finds out, in their own words, what inspires them to be physician advocates. Janis Sethness (MD, MPH) is one of our Leadership Training Academy Class of 2024 Fellows. Dr. Sethness practices adolescent medicine in Washington.
