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Gender-Affirming Care

Normal Operating Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am-5pm
Schedule Online
After Hours & Emergencies
Location & Hours
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Services for Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender-Diverse Students
Our gender-affirming team at Student Health and Wellness welcomes and provides care and support for all students through consultation, assessment, medical and therapeutic care, and other services in collaboration with students. We help students navigate the gender transition process and access UVA and community resources, such as specialty clinics or longer-term treatment, as needed.

For victim of sexual assault support, view resources available to you here.

Getting Started

To make a gender-affirming care appointment with one of our Medical Services team members, schedule online through the HealthyHoos patient portal or call (434) 924-5362.

To make a gender-affirming care appointment with one of our CAPS team members, visit the CAPS Getting Started page for next steps.

To discuss gender-affirming support through accommodations, visit the SDAC Apply for Services page.

Not sure which gender-affirming services are right for you, or have additional questions about what care looks like? We partner with LGBTQ Center at UVA and encourage you to connect with their team members, resources, and events. The LGBTQ Center can be a great place to start.

 

Our Commitment

  • Listening to and centering student needs
  • Collaborating to develop a personalized care plan
  • Removing medical and academic barriers
  • Making student well-being our top priority

Our Team

  • Primary care and gynecological physicians, as well as nurse practitioners
  • Mental health care providers
  • Professionals who can assist with academic or other University-related accommodations and resources
  • Care managers to assist with navigating resources and overcoming barriers such as insurance, finances, or other concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Student Health and Wellness's (SHW) mission in terms of offering inclusive and affirming services and care?

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 below standards and guidelines:

What kinds of transgender and gender-affirming care is provided at SHW?

We see students for all types of medical and psychological care, whether preventive, exploratory, or illness related. We can also provide referrals as needed – 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. We can also assist with referrals for longer-term treatment in the community and letters of support for gender affirming surgeries, if needed.
  • Medical Services: Medical providers welcome transgender and gender diverse 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 manage hormones that students have already been prescribed. 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) and doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP).

All medical providers can coordinate and provide care following an unwanted sexual encounter.

What are the guidelines for health screenings?

SHW follows national recommendations that all young adults should receive STI screening, skin cancer screening, blood pressure screening, depression screening, anxiety 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.

What resources does SHW suggest for help facilitating conversations with family and loved ones?
  • 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

Can I discuss well-being or safety concerns with my provider?

The teams at Student Health and Wellness are here to help 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.

What kind of steps should I take to ensure continuation of care when graduation is approaching?

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 gender affirming health care needs, and generally this process should start well before graduation to ensure a timely continuation of care.

What are some resources I can check out to learn more?

These resources are exceptionally helpful: