Health care visits can be stressful. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you may have extra anxiety about health care—maybe you’re worried you’ll be discriminated against or misunderstood. At the Student Health Center, we’re committed to making sure you have the best possible experience.
We seek to provide inclusive care for all students visiting the Student Health Center. If you have a name that is different from your legal name, or if you would like to share your pronouns, please complete our Name and Pronoun Form.
It’s important for you to know that chosen names will appear in parentheses after dead (or legal) names within the information systems used by the Student Health Center. These systems have limitations in how a chosen name is used and shared within them. As a result, the best option available to us is to store your chosen name in parentheses after your legal name. We must also retain your legal name for other reasons, such as for sending prescriptions, submitting claims to your insurer, and to maintain a complete legal record of your care.
If you are not comfortable with this or experience any problems, then please meet with your provider or contact us 812-855-6511 to determine an alternative way we can best meet your needs.
For an appointment with a gender-affirming care provider who is especially knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ health issues, call 812-856-5002. If the nurse is not available, leave a message and you’ll get a call back as soon as possible.
We know that easy access to medical and counseling services is crucial for LGBTQ+ students during your transformative college years. And we understand that you have particular needs and preferences when it comes to health care. Schedule an appointment with a gender-affirming care provider for any of these services.
If you have a concern related to your sex organs, your provider can give you a sensitive exam. Chaperones are always available upon request. If you would prefer to have a provider who specializes in LGBTQ+ medicine, schedule an appointment as described on this page.
We offer quick, confidential STI testing and treatment in the Student Health Center. If you think you’ve been exposed, talk with your provider about getting tested. We recommend routine testing every three to six months for people with multiple partners.
Learn more about STI testingThe Student Health Center provides Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to HIV negative patients who are at high risk of contracting the HIV virus. To discuss if you are a candidate for PrEP, please call 812-855-3038 to schedule an appointment.
Learn more about PrEPThe CDC recommends that everyone through age 26 be immunized for human papilloma virus, or HPV. HPV is an STI that can lead to certain types of cancer. Talk with your provider about getting an HPV immunization.
Learn more about immunizationsIf you’re interested in sexual health or learning more about sexuality, check out our wellness programs. They’re designed to help you learn more, be well, and have healthy sexual relationships. Free condoms and dental dams are available at Health and Wellness Education on the third floor of the Health Center.
Learn more about sexual wellnessDo you want to talk to someone about sexuality, gender identity, or other things going on in your life? Our counselors are always ready to help. We offer individual counseling, group counseling, workshops, support groups, and more.
Learn more about CAPSThe Student Health Center not only continues previously prescribed gender-affirming hormone treatments, but also can initiate them. To discuss if you are a candidate for Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy, please call 812-855-5002 to schedule an appointment.
If you want your home provider to manage your hormone therapy but would like to have your injections given at the Student Health Center, you must have your provider complete and submit a Therapeutic Injection order sheet prior to scheduling your injection appointment with the immunization clinic.
If you’re already receiving gender-affirming hormones at another health care facility and would like to continue your therapy at the Student Health Center, make an appointment with our gender-affirming care provider as described on this page. You’ll need to provide your previous physician’s records before your appointment.
Your initial 45-minute appointment will involve a review of your gender journey and previous hormone treatments, a conversation about your desired changes from hormone therapy, and a discussion of your medical and social history. Depending on your previous medical records and care, your provider may draw blood for laboratory tests.
When you’re comfortable with your new provider, we strongly recommend that you have a full physical exam to ensure your long-term health. (We won’t withhold hormones from you if you decline an exam.)
If hormone therapy is new for you, we are happy to talk with you about your options. No mental health evaluation or letter is required prior to the first initiation appointment.
To initiate hormone therapy, make an appointment with our gender-affirming care provider as described on this page. Your initial 45-minute appointment will involve a review of your gender journey and any previous hormone treatments, a conversation about your desired changes from hormone therapy, and a discussion of your medical and social history. Your provider will draw blood for laboratory tests and, if you’re comfortable with it, give you a full physical exam. (We won’t withhold hormones from you if you decline an exam.) You’ll also be given written information on hormone therapy to review.
Two to three weeks after your initial appointment, you’ll have a 30-minute follow-up appointment to review your lab results, discuss any questions or concerns, and, if everything looks ok, receive your hormone therapy. If you use injectable hormone therapy, we will schedule an appointment with the immunization clinic so you can learn how to give injections or so you can receive your injection from an immunization clinic nurse.
Referrals to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or outside counselors can be made for any mental health needs, or to assist with any further processing regarding your gender journey if needed.
Our providers are trained in the the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People. We follow an Informed Consent model.
Learn about the WPATH standards of careAs part of our commitment to ensuring that everyone feels welcome and accepted at the Student Health Center, representatives from departments across campus have come together to create the Gender Affirming Care Team. This team helps create a more inclusive environment and provides specialty care for more diverse and LGBTQ+ students. The team has led initiatives such as updating documentation to be more inclusive and providing gender sensitivity training for Student Health Center staff. Team members include:
