Underserved communities have a special place in Dr. B.J. Howard’s heart. “It’s my passion. I got into medicine wanting to help people. At first, I thought I’d prioritize underserved communities with an emphasis on people of color. Then I learned that military personnel are also underserved,” they recall. Dr. Howard explains that although the military offers a wide range of health services, some areas lack enough providers to deliver them efficiently. They joined the Army as a Captain serving as battalion surgeon and rose to the rank of Major as a brigade surgeon before retiring in 2023.

Dr. Howard is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. A biology graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, their medical degree is from Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C. Dr. Howard – who identifies as non-binary – quickly learned that the Army’s LGBTQ+ community was also underserved, particularly transgender people. They did a deep dive to educate themselves on that patient population’s unique needs and became passionate about gender affirming care. “We didn’t get this training in medical school. But as health professionals, when we don’t know the answer it’s our duty to use resources to find it,” they say.

“As a primary care doctor, I treat all people with varying medical needs. Thanks to AtlantiCare’s commitment to serving the underserved, I can also take special care of people in the LGBTQ+ community, including those seeking gender-affirming care,” they say.

At AtlantiCare, Dr. Howard has found an inviting and supportive environment. “My colleagues truly care about the underserved. You can tell when that commitment is real or if it’s just checking a box. At AtlantiCare, it’s real. My passion and the organization’s align,” they say.

Originally from California, Dr. Howard lives locally and enjoys travel, exercise and food, especially sushi.