Medical Services

• Physical and psychological safety is a critical component of healthcare provision by fostering the development of a trusting therapeutic relationship in which healthcare takes place
• Operational policy reflects industry best-practice standards
• Clinical care policy reflects industry best-practice standards
• Clinical care provision is evidence based
• Patient safety is consistent with the ethic of do no harm
• Safety of Schacht Center building and personnel
• Safety of community

• Duty to care for students to whom we grant admission
• Duty to do no harm
• Promote environmental sustainability through thoughtful selection and use of resources
• Reduce burden on the local healthcare system and greater community resources

• All students deserve and shall have access to quality care, regardless of residential status, insurance coverage and demographic factors such as age, race, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic class.
• All patients are treated with dignity and respect.

• The Medical Service at Smith College is composed of credentialed, licensed medical, nursing and allied health professionals with expertise in student well-being, student health and first-time care seeking behaviors.
• The Medical Service at Smith College oversees healthcare services to our students and community.

The Schacht Center for Health and Wellness offers gender affirming care to students across the gender spectrum. We use an informed consent model to initiate and/or continue hormone therapy and offer continuity of care during your time at Smith. Our practice includes comprehensive primary care including but not limited to: counseling, wellness and psychiatric services, injection teaching with registered nurses, laboratory monitoring, access to sharps containers and a binder library, as well as letters and referrals for gender affirming surgeries, vocal therapy, name changes and specialized services. The Schacht Center sees students of all genders and identities for routine and urgent medical and mental health care, including support groups and counseling therapy. We know that life can be more challenging when you’re LGBTQIA+. We are here in solidarity and support of all students.

What should I expect at my first medical gender affirming care appointment?

Your visit will be scheduled for an initial consultation with a medical provider at the Schacht Center. Your first appointment will focus on your provider getting to know you, your gender experience, and your gender affirmation goals. Care is taken to ensure that your gendering affirming care plan is medically safe for you by reviewing your personal and family medical history. Medications will not necessarily be prescribed at your first visit. We are here to work with you and meet your needs.

What follow-up will I receive?

If you choose to take hormones, you will be expected to maintain regular follow up appointments with your medical provider. You should expect to have laboratory monitoring to ensure that your hormone treatment is safe. Medication and laboratory costs are subject to your specific insurance coverage. We work with students on all healthcare plans, and recommend you speak directly with your individual health care plan.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Appointments are scheduled by calling 413-585-2800 during office hours. When you speak with a staff member, please request a gender affirming medical appointment.

How do I change my name at Smith?

Students may change their first name at Smith College (including Moodle, email, etc.) without changing their name legally. To request a transcript with a chosen name, one must change their name legally and update and submit the request to the Office of the Registrar.

On-Campus Resources:

• Nutritionist: Our staff dietician has a special interest in eating disorders and marginalized patient populations and can help with an individualized patient-centered meal plan
• Smith Equity and Inclusion Office
• Smith Resource Center for Sexuality and Gender
• Office of Equity & Inclusion Resources
• Schacht Center Binder Library
  Education around safe binding, fittings and funding resources

Local LGBTQIA+ Resources:

• LGBT Coalition of Western Mass
• The Stonewall Center: University of Massachusetts
     A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual    (LGBTQIA+) Resource Center
• Local Guide to Restrooms

Queer and Gender Nonconforming Healthcare (uses informed consent model):

• Transhealth Northampton
     Florence MA (413) 341-9400
• Emily Lash, MD; Miranda Balkin, MD; Katherine A. Jarrell, MD
     Oxbow Primary Care
     15 Atwood Drive, Suite 201, Northampton, MA 01060
     (413) 586-9313
     *On the PVTA Bus Route: BUS B48
• Chalice Santorelli, MSN, FNP
     Northampton Family Medicine
     22 Atwood Drive, Northampton, MA 01060
     (413) 584-2178
     *On the PVTA Bus Route: BUS B48
• Planned Parenthood
     3550 Main Street, Suite 201, Springfield, MA 01107
     (800) 258-4448
• Baystate Transgender/Adult Clinic
     140 High Street C Level, Springfield, MA 01105
     (413) 794-2511
• National Center for Transgender Equality
• Fenway Health
• UCSF Transgender Care

Some reasons for visits may include (but are not limited to):

• sore throat
• cough fever
• headaches
• fatigue
• abdominal pain
• chest pain
• back pain
• strains/sprains
• asthma
• vomiting/diarrhea
• sexually transmitted infection screening/concerns
• HIV testing
• cuts/lacerations
• urinary tract infection (UTI)
• eye infection
• acne/rash/dermatology
• gynecology: vaginal infection, menstrual problems, pregnancy testing
• anxiety/stress
• depression
• prescription refills
• referrals to specialists any health related concerns

• Birth control prescriptions; removal of most IUDs and birth control implants
• Referrals for birth control implants and IUD placement
• STI Screening and treatment
• Preventive care and pap smears
• Pregnancy testing
• Emergency contraception
• Referrals for other OBGYN needs

More information on Reproductive Health Care at Smith

Smith Videos:

• Demystifying One's First Pelvic Exam
• Birth Control Options at Smith College

The CDC provides comprehensive information about travel health.

• Travel physicals
• Travel vaccines (billed through insurance; see fees section for cost). Your insurance may require that travel related vaccines be provided at a special travel clinic. Most travel-related vaccines can be provided locally at CVS Minute Clinic, 366 King Street, Northampton (413-586-8315). The CDC provides comprehensive information about travel health.

Vaccines are available by appointment. Students with private insurance should contact their insurance FIRST regarding coverage. The Smith College Student Health Insurance plan covers the cost of most vaccines.

Vaccinations offered at Health Services include (but are not limited to):

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• HPV 9 (Gardasil 9)
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Meningitis (MACWY or MCV4)
• Meningitis B (Bexsero)
• Meningitis B (Trumenba)
• MMR
• Polio (IPV)
• Rabies
• TD
• TDAP
• Typhoid
• Varicella
• Yellow Fever (call for availability)

We are pleased to offer laboratory services through Baystate Reference Labs. Students must call 413-585-2800 to schedule an appointment.

Students with private insurance should contact their insurance company with any questions about coverage. Baystate Reference Labs will submit claims directly to the student’s insurance company. Laboratory services at the Schacht Center may not be fully covered by private insurance. Deductibles and out-of-network fees may apply. 

Students with the Student Health Insurance Plan should be aware that an annual deductible fee applies to any laboratory service.

For additional questions regarding coverage and fees for students with the Student Health Insurance Plan, please go to https://www.gallagherstudent.com/smith.