About a month after UMass Memorial canceled all appointments with a doctor well known for her work with transgender women, the surgeon said she is taking a new position at Massachusetts General Hospital.
In a text message to GBH News, Dr. Ashley Alford confirmed she’ll begin her new role in Boston June 1. She said she’s not sure when patients can start making appointments with her, noting it depends on when MGH adds her into its computer system.
“But they should be able to schedule with [Dr.] Will Boysen or the gender clinic and then switch to me if desired,” Alford wrote.
Alford specializes in vaginoplasties, also known as bottom surgeries, and has gained a reputation for her work at UMass Memorial in Worcester. She performed the hospital’s first vaginoplasty in 2024 — the first known surgery of its kind at a Massachusetts medical center outside of Boston.
Several transgender women told GBH News they specifically sought out Alford for her kind demeanor and innovative technique, which involves abdominal tissue and robotic technology to create a more functional vagina.
But starting in late January, UMass Memorial abruptly told all of Alford’s patients that her appointments and surgeries had been called off, without providing any further explanation or opportunity to reschedule. Many patients had waited years for the opportunity to undergo bottom surgery and feel comfortable with their bodies.
The lack of clarity left patients scrambling and fueled concerns that UMass Memorial was ending its vaginoplasty program as the Trump administration pressures medical providers to stop engaging in gender-affirming care.
UMass Memorial has since said it’s committed to providing that care and has named two new doctors who will replace Alford. The hospital has declined to explain why Alford’s appointments were canceled.
Alford said she couldn’t discuss her working relationship with UMass Memorial. But she said she hopes to expedite the scheduling process at MGH for any patients who previously had a surgery booked with her at UMass Memorial.
“I will absolutely do my best to prioritize those who had been already scheduled,” she said.
MGH has not responded to a request for comment.
Some of Alford’s patients at UMass Memorial told GBH News they’re glad to hear that she’s landing at MGH, but they question how soon they’ll be able to book an appointment with her. They noted that the hospital has a waitlist just to book consultations for vaginoplasties.
One patient, Danielle — who’s using a pseudonym due to her fear of repercussions for speaking publicly — had a consultation with Alford and planned to schedule a bottom surgery for later this year. She said that since learning that Alford was no longer available at UMass Memorial, she’s tried to figure out what to do next. She’s inclined to have Alford perform the surgery at MGH, but still wants to have a back-up option.
“This whole thing has been so secretive, so poorly communicated,” Danielle said, regarding Alford’s split with UMass Memorial. “I’d want to chat with her again and feel confident that this isn’t going to happen again.”
Alford’s move to MGH also affects patients she’s already operated on. Chrissi Bates was the doctor’s first patient at UMass Memorial, undergoing surgery in 2024. Bates said she has no doubt she’ll follow Alford to MGH for any future post-op care.
“I’m not shocked that she’s landed herself at one of Boston’s top hospitals,” Bates said. “She’s incredible at the work that she does. And I’m happy to be her patient.”
