Transgender Health Care Team
Student Health provides care and support for students navigating the gender transition process. Our team offers outpatient medical and psychological consultations and treatment. We also provide assistance in accessing alternative resources, such as longer term treatment in the community. We are a multi-disciplinary team, and as such, the team includes:
- Gynecological care providers: physicians, nurse practitioners
- Medical care providers: physicians, nurse practitioners
- Mental health care providers: psychologists, professional counselors
- Professionals to assist with academic or other University accommodations as needed
- Care managers to assist with navigating resources and overcoming barriers such as insurance/financial or other concerns
The team works closely to provide students with the most ethical and comprehensive assessment, consultation, and treatment. Our team will provide recommendations and collaborate with you to develop a treatment plan, which typically includes medical monitoring and psychotherapy.
Medical Providers:
Jessica Simmons, MD
Joan Shettig, NP
Joyce Stevenson, RN
Lisa Christianson, MD
Mari-Laure Hyde, RN
Nancy Lutz, NP
Stephanie Hartman, MD
Counseling and Psychological Services:
Gina Condi, NP
Jackie Alexander, PhD
Karen Painter, LPC
Katie Richards, LPC
Office of Health Promotion:
Student Disability Access Center:
After hours Emergency Care:
434-297-4261
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I schedule an appointment at Student Health?
Information about hours and appointments at Student Health can be found here. When choosing a General Medicine online appointment, students may select an appointment specifically for “transgender healthcare” (i.e. hormone refills) or an appointment for other medical issues.
How can I indicate my preferred name, gender, or pronouns on Student Health forms?
Students can schedule appointments and then send a Secure Message through the Healthy Hoos patient portal to the provider they will see, asking the provider to change gender or pronouns prior to their visit. Students can also ask providers to change preferred names, gender, or pronouns while at the visit.
What transgender-specific care is Student Health providing?
We see students for all types of medical and psychological concerns, both preventive and sick, providing referrals as needed – please do not hesitate to come see us! We also offer pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP).
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides brief individual therapy, group therapy, crisis consultation, and short-term psychiatric medication management. Students may benefit from psychological support as they explore gender identity or navigate social or medical transition. CAPS clinicians may provide letters of support for students engaged in short term treatment. Our clinicians can also help connect students with referrals for longer term treatment in the community, if needed. CAPS providers are also happy to see transgender students for other mental health concerns outside of gender identity at any time.
Medical Services
Medical providers are able to renew hormone therapy, as well as manage general transgender health issues. In addition, we consult with students who are considering transition to offer education as well as coordination of care with specialty providers at UVA who could initiate hormone therapy.
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 STI testing, contraception, examinations of reproductive organs for prevention or active issues, and breast or chest exams.
All medical providers provide care following an unwanted sexual encounter. In addition, a certified SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurse practitioner at Student Health provides examinations for sexual assault evidence collection for all students, regardless of gender. These exams can take place even if a student is undecided about whether to pursue legal action.
Of course, medical providers are happy to see transgender students for non-transgender specific health care issues at any time. We know from national data that transgender patients often delay or do not seek preventive health care or sick care.
What are the guidelines for health screenings?
Student Health follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines which state that all young adults should receive STI screening, skin cancer screening, blood pressure screening, depression screening, oral health screening, and tobacco use screening annually, and diabetes and heart disease screening as needed. Young adults should receive counseling on healthy diets and physical activity.
What care do we provide for people contemplating transition?
Students contemplating transition will meet with providers in General Medicine and CAPS to discuss resources, counseling, and support meetings and to provide education regarding hormone therapy.
What care do we offer to people approaching graduation?
Students who have graduated can visit Student Health up to one week after graduation. The period of time right after graduation can be a difficult time with many changes, including finding a medical home. The clinicians at Student Health can help refer you to community providers competent in transgender health care needs. These resources are exceptionally helpful: UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health Guidelines, Endocrine Society Guidelines, and WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health). Finally, the Transgender Health Alliance of Central Virginia (THACVA) provides an updated list of resources.
Thoughts about safety.
Transgender students can be at higher risk for abuse or assault. Use the buddy system when going out, recognize how alcohol may be impacting you and/or others, and trust your instincts which may be telling you to leave a situation.
Where is Student Health going in term of offering inclusive healthcare?
We would like all transgender students to feel like they have a home at Student Health. Please let us know what we can do to improve our services. We follow the UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health Guidelines and Endocrine Society Guidelines. While it is often best to speak directly to your provider about any issues you may be having regarding your care, you can also email us. We welcome all comments and concerns, and we also love to hear kudos, too!