Gender-Affirming Care

Medical Services

• Lisa Christianson, MD
• Stephanie Hartman, MD
• Katie Hood, FNP
• Jessica Simmons, MD
• Joyce Stevenson, RN

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

• Dan Elreda, PhD
• Gina Condi, NP
• Karen Painter, LP

Office of Health Promotion

• Anika Kempe
• Sarah Knight, MPH, CHES
• Jamie Leonard, MPH, CHES

Student Disability Access Center

• Barbara Zunder, MA

We would like all transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse students to feel like they have a home at SHW. Our goal is to create space for students to explore their identity, and to help students access medical and/or psychological care, as well as community and academic resources. To this end, we follow the:

• UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health Guidelines
• World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care, and
• Endocrine Society Guidelines

While it is often best to speak directly to your provider about any issues you may have regarding your care, you can also email Dr. Stephanie Hartman, Associate Director of Primary Care. We welcome and encourage all comments, concerns, and feedback to help us provide quality, affirming care.

You can update your gender identity, preferred name, and pronouns in our system in one of the following ways:

• In the HealthyHoos patient portal (use your Netbadge ID to login), go to your account, click on your name at the upper right corner and then click “Edit your profile.”
• After scheduling an appointment, send a secure message through the HealthyHoos patient portal to your provider. In the message, ask to change your name, gender, and/or pronouns prior to your visit.
• During your visit, ask your provider to change name(s), gender(s), and/or pronouns.
• If you'd like to update your name(s), gender(s), and/or pronouns in other UVA systems, please visit the UVA LGBTQ Trans/GNC FAQs.

We see students for all types of medical and psychological care, whether preventive, exploratory, or illness-related. We can also provide referrals as needed – so please do not hesitate to come see us!

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Therapy can be a source of support for students who are exploring gender identity and/or navigating transition. CAPS services include group therapy, brief individual therapy, care management, crisis consultation, and short-term psychiatric medication management. We provide gender-affirming care to students who are interested in psychological services for any reason. CAPS clinicians may complete letters of support for gender-affirming medical care when appropriate. We can also assist with referrals for longer-term treatment in the community, if needed.
• Medical Services: Medical providers welcome transgender and gender-expansive students for any health concerns. We know from national data that transgender patients often delay or do not seek preventive health care or sick care, and for that reason we are committed to ensuring transgender students have affirming experiences at SHW. In addition, medical providers are able to address general transgender health issues, as well as management of hormone therapy and medications. We also consult with students who are considering transition to offer education and, if needed, coordination of care with specialty providers.

Reproductive health services are also available for all students, including those who are transgender and gender diverse. These services include, but are not limited to, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, contraception, examinations of reproductive organs for prevention or active issues, and breast or chest exams. In addition, we also offer pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP).

All medical providers can coordinate and provide care following an unwanted sexual encounter. In addition, a certified SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurse practitioner at SHW can provide examinations for sexual assault evidence collection for all students, if requested, regardless of gender. These exams can take place even if a student is undecided about whether to pursue legal action.

SHW follows national recommendations that all young adults should receive STI screening, skin cancer screening, blood pressure screening, depression screening, oral health screening, and tobacco use screening annually, in addition to diabetes and heart disease screening as needed. We follow these in an effort to keep our students healthy and functioning at their highest capacity.

Students contemplating medical transition can meet with providers in Medical Services and CAPS to discuss resources, education and resources about the transition process, and counseling and support meetings. If needed, providers in both Medical Services and CAPS can help coordinate referrals to initiate hormone therapy and other gender-affirming care services, as well as provide assistance with insurance questions. Medical providers are also able to address management of hormone therapy and medications. 

• A Guide to being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth (Webpage) The Trevor Project
• Coming Out (Webpage) Trans Lifeline
• Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People (PDF) The Trevor Project
• Coming Out: Living Authentically as Transgender or Non-Binary (Webpage, PDF) Human Rights Campaign
• Family Support: Resources for Families of Transgender and Gender Diverse Children (Webpage) Movement Advancement Project
• Groups and Resources for Parenting and Family (Webpage) Gender Spectrum
• Support Resources for Families of Gender Diverse Youth (Webpage) American Academy of Pediatrics

Our teams are here to help all of our students navigate resources and conversations about all aspects of health and wellness, including safety and well-being. Any students who have questions or concerns about their physical or emotional well-being should not hesitate to talk to their provider. If you have experienced an unwanted sexual encounter or sexual violence, we offer care after a sexual assault including medical care, emotional support, and referral depending on a student's needs and desires.

Student Health and Wellness staff and students can start proactive discussions, from time of initial visits and through a student’s care at Student Health and Wellness, about plans for care after UVA. Students who have graduated can visit Student Health and Wellness up to one week after graduation. It’s important to have conversations with your care provider during the semester leading up to your graduation to help ensure a smooth continuation of care as students prepare for life’s next steps. Our team can help refer to community providers competent in transgender health care needs, and generally this process should start well before graduation to ensure a timely continuation of care.

These resources are exceptionally helpful:

• UVA LGBTQ Center Trans/GNC FAQs
• UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health Guidelines
• Endocrine Society Resources WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health)
• The book Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community (accessible online through UVA libraries) contains a wealth of information.
• The Transgender Health Alliance of Central Virginia (THACVA) provides an updated list of resources.