The SHC is committed to providing quality health care to ALL Vanderbilt students, including those within the LGBTI community. We at SHC consider our environment to be a “safe” place to come for healthcare, counsel, and advice. In fact, all SHC employees including receptionists, administrators, mental health providers, nurses, physicians, and nurse practitioners, participate in Vanderbilt University’s “Safe Zone” LGBTI Ally training. Safe Zone training is a formal mechanism to educate all members of the Vanderbilt community about the stereotypes and challenges that face the LGBTI community. For more information about the LGBTI Office and their services (including Safe Zone training), please see their website at www.vanderbilt.edu/glbtqi/
To learn more about the Vanderbilt Program for LGBTI Health, please visit their web site at https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/lgbti/
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association has identified the top 10 health issues facing men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with women (WSW).
| Gay Men and MSM Health Concerns |
Lesbian and WSW Health Concerns |
| 1. HIV/AIDS and Safer Sex | 1. Breast Cancer |
| 2. Substance Use | 2. Depression/Anxiety |
| 3. Depression/Anxiety | 3. Gynecological Cancer |
| 4. Hepatitis Immunization | 4. Fitness (Diet & Exercise) |
| 5. STIs | 5. Substance Use |
| 6. Prostate/Testicular/Colon Cancer | 6. Tobacco |
| 7. Alcohol | 7. Alcohol |
| 8. Tobacco | 8. Domestic Violence |
| 9. Fitness (Diet & Exercise) | 9. Osteoporosis |
| 10. Anal Papilloma | 10. Heart Health |
During a visit to SHC, you can expect to receive comprehensive care that is sensitive to your sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The providers at SHC are all knowledgeable about health care concerns you might have, including those listed above.
You play an integral part in the health care you receive. Communicating openly and honestly with your medical provider is an important way to receive comprehensive and sensitive medical care. This includes talking about issues like sexual orientation, sexuality, and gender. It’s also important that you feel that you can ask questions of your provider. We strongly recommend that all students with ongoing health concerns establish themselves with one provider with whom they feel comfortable, rather than seeing different providers at every visit (such as through the Acute Care Clinic). This allows you to have a relationship with a person who understands your needs and helps you navigate through the healthcare system as needed.
Patient comments are very important to us. If you have any feedback about our services, good or bad, please fill out a patient comment form that can be found in the waiting rooms. Comments can also be done on-line by sending a message to studenthealth@vanderbilt.edu. We address all complaints, and the more specific you are, the more likely it is that we will be able to address your concern. If you choose to leave your name, we will follow up with you.