Gender Affirming Care

outside of health services building

To serve our 2STNBGNC+ student’s health needs, Campus Wellness, Health Services offers gender affirming primary health care to two-spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming (2STNBGNC+) students. 

Our goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental and affirming place for students. Gender affirming care at Campus Wellness, Health Services, is supported by a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and a dietitian. 

Primary care provision and transition related services for trans and non-binary students include:

  • Starting and maintaining Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (HRT) 
  • Supporting documentation and letters as needed, including  gender marker changes on legal identification, and primary and secondary letters of support for gender affirming surgeries 
  • Mental health services, including single session and brief counselling  
  • Treatment and monitoring of temporary and chronic illness 
  • Coordination of care and referrals (including referrals for transition-related surgeries) 
  • Preventative care including vaccinations, birth control and screening for diseases (including PAPs, prostate, chest/breast exams, and more) 

Book an Appointment

Call 519-888-4096 or visit us in Health Services to book a confidential Gender Affirmative Care Intake appointment.  

Email: For those who are unable to call due to accessibility concerns, please email hsforms@uwaterloo.ca indicating that you are unable to book by phone.

Please note that this email address is not monitored 24/7 and cannot support urgent or emergency requests. 

Services

If you are interested in gender affirming care, and/or for further information or self-referral, we suggest first booking an intake appointment by calling the Health Services, Student Medical Clinic at 519-888-4096. This will allow us to get to know you, review your medical history, and collaborate together to establish a pathway toward optimal health. Students can call in and ask for an intake appointment for “gender affirming care” or “to talk about hormones”. 

If you are considering hormone therapy, we recommend learning more about this through Rainbow Health Ontario before your medical visit, to help identify topics you would like to discuss with your primary care clinician.  

Our Mental Health services offer one-on-one, inclusive and non-judgmental space that is respectful of your health care and gender needs. Our Mental health providers include physicians, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, psychologists, registered social workers and registered psychotherapists. Additionally, we have a 2SLGBTQIA+ Student Support Counsellor, who has extensive expertise and specializes in working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 

Health Insurance

Both UHIP and OHIP cover healthcare provider appointments at Health Services for gender diverse students. If you have been prescribed hormones, and wish to have the cost covered by your student benefit plan, log onto Student Care to access the Restricted Drug Use Form. Alternatively, you can request a copy of this form through Health Services, in which you can then fill out and submit to Student Care for approval. 

UHIP does cover some of the fees for some gender-affirming surgeries but students must apply for coverage individually. 

Learn more about your health coverage for undergraduate and graduate students.

If you have questions regarding coverage, consult your insurance carrier, Student Care online, by phone: 1-866-369-8794 or visit the on-campus Health and Dental Plan office located within Health Services (Room 1006). 

Additional Information

Names and Pronouns  

  • Your name in our Campus Wellness system reflects your name in the University system. However, during registration, inform staff of your preferred name(s) and pronouns. These changes will be noted in your medical records and respected by Health Services staff.  
  • As of winter 2020, your chosen/preferred first name listed in WatIAM will be used broadly across campus (e.g., LEARN, Quest, WatCard, etc.). Take a moment now to verify or add a preferred first name in WatIAM. 
  • Additional instructions for name preference changes can be found through WUSA Trans Resources. 

Gender Inclusive Restrooms 

  • Health Services washrooms are gender-inclusive. Staff can direct you to the closest restroom/changing area. 
  • Across campus, there are also inclusive restroom options available. Refer to the Inclusive Washroom Map for these options. 

Billing Information

  • Some services may not be covered by insurance, and you may receive a bill.
  • Please note: Invoices for any unpaid fees will first be sent electronically via Medeo. After 30 days, a paper invoice will be mailed to the name and address on file, which will be consistent with your name and address on Quest. This will include both your legal name and the name you use on Quest.
  • If you would like the invoice sent to an alternate address or wish to clarify the name that should appear on your invoice, please contact Campus Wellness.

Mental Health Care

  • Mental health service providers through Campus Wellness include physicians, psychiatrists, a mental health nurse, psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers.
  • Counselling Services offers inclusive counselling and mental health services to support your academic, personal, career and health-related concerns. You may request counselling support through an Intake Appointment at Counselling Services in Needles Hall. Phone 519-888-4096 to learn more about our services and register for them.
  • Students can also request a referral from a Health Services physician to get connected with our on-campus psychologists, psychiatrists or be connected with professionals within the community.