LGBTQ+ Health

 The University Health Center is committed to providing caring, quality, confidential services to our campus community, inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We work to provide affirming health, counseling and wellness services, so you can be treated well and stay well.

To meet the health and wellness needs of all campus community members, the University Health Center provides a variety of programs and services specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you are interested in primary care or triage, preventive health services, or are looking for general health and wellness information, our staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists, health educators and other health professionals are ready to help.

Tips for students and other visitors to the University Health Center who identify as LGBTQ+

  • Communication: We invite you to talk openly and honestly with Health Center staff.  We hope you will feel comfortable to disclose enough information to our appointment schedulers so they can best help you. We do our best to use your correct name and pronouns; if we make a mistake please feel free to correct us.
     
    During your visit, you may be asked questions that could be hard to discuss, so please prepare in advance to answer questions that are relevant to your reason for visit. This may include your family health history and your own health history and behaviors including use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, sexual behavior, and domestic violence. The nurse's request for sensitive information is part of the experience for all patients/students when establishing a professional working relationship, regardless of an individual's sexual orientation/gender identity, in order to provide the best services and care for each person.
     
  • Confidentiality: All Campus Health services are confidential by law.
     
  • Prepare for your visit: Lots of people get nervous and their minds go blank in health care situations, so it may be helpful to prep a little. You can make the best use of your time by writing down questions and bringing them to your visit.
     
  • Keep your own documentation: Maintaining copies of your health information is a good way to take ownership of your body, health and health care. Keep a record of what happened at each visit plus anything you want to follow up on.
     
  • Give us your feedback: We hope that you have a good experience when you come to our facility. We invite you to tell us about your experience because feedback provides an important learning opportunity and helps us determine ways to improve our services and procedures as well as recognize where we are doing good work (and should keep doing it)! We address all complaints. The more specific you are, the better we will be able to fix the problem. If you choose to include your name and a means to contact you, we will follow up with you. You can emailus at health@southeastern.edu; your feedback will be shared with appropriate staff.
     

Especially for Trans and Genderqueer Students

    • For billing and reimbursement, it is important to understand that your selection of sex in the medical record needs to agree with the sex which the payer (e.g. health insurance) has on file in order to avoid claim rejections. If you are confused about this process, please ask your provider to clarify what is on file to ensure more effective insurance coverage.
       
      Our electronic medical record system has a place in your file to note your “sex”, “gender identity” (includes: male, female,……?). If you think it would be helpful to have these categories appropriately noted in your file, please ask the scheduler that makes your appointment or your provider during your session.

  

LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Resources

Our goal is not to re-invent the wheel but, rather, to invite you to explore the many wonderful resources already in existence, nationwide. Please peruse this section for more information on LGBTQ+ sexual health, in addition to information on LGBTQ+ general health and wellness.

Lesbian & Bisexual Women’s Health & Wellness

 

Gay & Bisexual Men's Health & Wellness

 

Transgender Health & Wellness