George W. Matar, MD grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, CA. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of California, Irvine in 2013 and graduated from Central Michigan University College of Medicine in 2020. Dr. Matar then completed his medical residency training at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 2024. Dr. Matar is board-certified in Family Medicine and received his Master of Public Health Degree at Case Western Reserve University, with plans to complete his Preventive Medicine board certification in the fall of 2024. George has been recognized by the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine as a “Top Trainee Teacher”, has served as Chief Resident of his Family Medicine residency, and has received his American Academy of HIV Medicine Specialist (AAHIVS) certification. His clinical and research efforts have had a focus on sexual and mental health within the LGBTQ+ community, which includes dedicated clinic time allotted for gender-affirming care and HIV/Hepatitis care as well as LGBTQ+ Health Equity training for providers in his community. His preventive medicine training has tied in his public health interests with his clinical care, allowing him to better understand the needs of his community and make necessary systems changes through a complex interplay between individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, policy, and societal factors. Dr. Matar hopes that by offering LGBTQ+-specific medical services, coordinating health programming and partners, and providing safe-space training for community members/organizations, this will help to decrease the healthcare disparities faced by our LGBTQ+ population in Darke County and other surrounding communities.