By: Julie Wood
Mick Masaba holding the Martti translation device.
Nurse Mick Masaba’s mission for all of his patients in the Medical-Surgical unit at Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH) is to receive the best care possible. But in order to do so, Masaba emphasizes the importance of his patients feeling seen and heard during their stay. That’s why he serves as an advocate for LGBTQ+ and non–English-speaking patients.
“It’s not easy being in the hospital,” said Masaba, who holds a BSN and RN. “I do whatever I can to help people out.”
Prioritizing Pronouns
Joining PAH in 2021, Masaba quickly learned that he was the only transgender man in his unit. “It was a little difficult in the first year. I had a lot of conversations about using my preferred pronouns,” he said. “I appreciated how my colleagues wanted to learn and advocate for me, speaking up when they noticed I was being misgendered.”
Masaba puts forth the same efforts for LGBTQ+ patients, serving as a voice to promote gender-affirming care at PAH. Many transgender patients are not used to seeing transgender nurses, Masaba said, which makes them feel comfortable approaching him about their own gender identities.
If a patient confides that they’re being referred to as the wrong name or pronouns, Masaba takes time to speak with his teammates and encourages them to ask patients about their preferred pronouns. “[My teammates] always appreciate the feedback,” he said. “We all want our patients to feel safe in our care.”
In Their Own Words
Another way Masaba ensures his patients’ comfort at PAH is through providing translation devices for non– English-speaking patients, motivated by his experiences as a child.
Masaba’s first language is Filipino Tagalog. He was born in the Philippines and eventually moved to Canada with his mother at 4 years old, where he learned to speak English. He understands the challenges non–English-speaking patients face when trying to communicate with their care team.
Masaba recalled a Spanish-speaking patient who required surgery to treat a mass on his throat. His family knew some English and could speak for him, but Masaba wanted to hear directly from the patient.
For cases like this, Masaba makes sure his patients have proper translation tools, using Martti — a device that allows patients to speak with an interpreter over video calls in real time, serving as a bridge between patients and providers. He also teaches new nurses on the unit how to use the translation device.
“A patient’s needs are not met when they’re unable to share how they truly feel,” Masaba said. “We need to hear what patients have to say in their own words so we can understand how to best treat them.”
Continued Care in the Community
Masaba and Anderson at their July 2022 wedding.
Beyond his work at PAH, Masaba continues his advocacy in the community with his wife Jennifer Anderson, who works as an executive assistant in Corporate Finance at Penn Medicine. The couple got married last July. Together, they attend local demonstrations for LGBTQ+ rights, such as Philadelphia’s Trans Day of Visibility rally in March. Anderson is also a member of the Penn Medicine OUTList — a systemwide directory created to increase visibility and promote networking for LGBTQ+ employees, allowing staff to connect with one another and provide mentorship within their fields.
Masaba and Anderson feel especially grateful for Penn Medicine’s Gender Affirming Policy, implemented in January, in which employees can update their profiles and any forms of identification with their preferred name and pronouns.
“We’re so excited about this new policy,” said Anderson. “This was monumental to the health system.”
“I appreciate this extra support,” Masaba said. “It’s an honor to work here.”