Just remember: castration doesn’t turn a man into a woman. That’s the hard, cold science of the matter.
Gender reassignment surgeries likely will be performed on the Palouse, even if Pullman Regional Hospital chooses not to offer the procedures.
Gritman Medical Center in Moscow will provide male-to-female, below-the-waist vaginoplasty as long as the hospital obtains permission from its medical malpractice insurance provider, said Erick Hollenbeck, a spokesman for the hospital.
Gritman officials have contacted the insurance provider about the possibility, but Hollenbeck said it’s unclear how long the decision will take.
The hospital is seeking that approval after a board review as it follows the same process in introducing vaginoplasty that it would for any other new service, which does not include soliciting public comments, Hollenbeck said.Gritman’s consideration of vaginoplasty comes as Pullman Regional Hospital is in the midst of seeking public comments about whether the surgeries should be done there.
Dr. Geoffrey Stiller completed two of the procedures in June at Pullman under the supervision of physicians with experience in the specialty as part of advancing his training.