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 gender affirming apparel 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. Our staff reflect a range of gender identities and participate in both ongoing training and engagement with student feedback to demonstrate our commitment to continued improvement in supporting our rich and diverse student body.
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:
Local LGBTQIA+ Resources:
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
