From the inside out, the term healthcare can seem like an overwhelming monolith. The hardest step is often the first step: finding a practice where you feel comfortable sharing many of your most private and personal situations. For many in the LGBTQ community, that includes finding cultural competency.

Medical Anti-Aging prides itself on understanding the needs of all of its patents.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer Kelley Maple says the reason is simple. “Because we can. Because we are inclusive. Because the LGBTQ community matters to us. Half of the staff is LGBTQ.”

Medical Anti-Aging at 1840 SE 1st Ave. in Fort Lauderdale is different from a med spa. They are a full service medical clinic focusing on anti-aging treatments.

“It’s what it sounds like it is. It’s an anti-aging clinic with medically supervised treatments,” Maple said. “How can I help the facial structure age backwards?”

She and her team offer peptide and hormone therapies and cosmetic work in the office. And while not a nutrition or fitness clinic, they work those parts of your life into their treatment plan.

At a time when governments allow doctors to reject LGBTQ patients, Maple embraces them. But her allyship goes way back.

“Personally, I grew up in conservative, Christian Midwest and had a gay brother. His struggle growing up, not being accepted. Not feeling like he could really be himself and translate that into college and not being able to find healthcare specific to his needs.”

Her brother, Jesse, died suddenly when she was still in school. Now he serves as a reminder and inspiration to her.

“It’s absolutely a gift. He was a gift to me and I want that to be what I give to my patients.”

Time Is Now

Many people wait until they need several procedures. Maybe they’ll see some lines or a little drooping but decide they “can live with it.” Maple says the sooner, the better.

“Prevention is always easier and cheaper than correction. If we start with little things; skin care, taking care of our health. It takes the workload off later down the line.”

She is also a member of the North American Menopause Society and certified in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This lets her help women navigate middle age and beyond. Now that women live 25 to 50 years past menopause, she knows hormone balance and treatments are key to making the most of a woman’s “golden years.”

The trans community is also close to her heart.

“I have many trans patients. One thing so important to me is feeling safe and feeling accepted. I need to understand their unique and specific needs. They have different bodies that I need to be aware of.”

She’s been treating some of the girls from Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale since long before she helped open Medical Anti-Aging.

For her and the team it’s all about taking what we have and making it as fabulous as possible for as long as possible.

“How can we take what our bodies do naturally and help that process of regeneration be even better.”