Gender Affirming Care

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.

Our Commitment to Gender Affirming Care

We are committed to providing inclusive, respectful, and gender‑affirming care, and we recognize that this commitment must be demonstrated through clear practices, training, and accountability—not words alone. You can expect the following when accessing our services:

Respect for your authentic name and pronouns
When shared, we use your authentic name and pronouns in conversation and documentation, even if they differ from your government ID or health‑care records.

Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our team includes staff members who have received training in providing gender‑affirming care. Team members have completed gender diversity and/or trans care competency training within the past three years, and we are committed to ongoing education.

Inclusive and affirming language
We use gender‑neutral and inclusive language such as partner, spouse, partnered, and parent in both verbal communication and written materials.

Established policies and procedures
We have policies and procedures in place to support gender‑diverse clients and to support staff in maintaining trans‑inclusive, affirming practices across our services.

Inclusive data collection for service improvement
We use inclusive survey and data‑collection practices to better understand student experiences and to continuously improve the quality, accessibility, and safety of our services.

Commitment to listening and improvement
We recognize that gender‑affirming care is an evolving practice. We actively welcome feedback from students and are committed to using it to strengthen and improve the care we provide. If you have any feedback about your experience with our services, please submit our Campus Wellness Feedback Form.

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 and fertility)
Preventative care including vaccinations, birth control and screening for diseases (including PAPs, prostate, chest/breast exams, and more)

If you are an International Student and travelling with medication, including hormones, we recommend reading bringing prescription medication into Canada.

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. During this appointment we will 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.

Wait times for initial appointments typically range from one week to two months, depending on student volume and provider availability.

Health Insurance

Both UHIP and OHIP cover healthcare provider appointments at Health Services for gender diverse students. First Nations and Inuit people are also covered under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB). 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, you can consult with Student Care online or byvisiting the on-campus Health and Dental Plan office located within Health Services (Room 1006).

You can also call them:

Graduate students: 1-519-904-2600
Undergraduate students: 1-519-783-1357

Additional Information

Names and Pronouns

Your name in our Campus Wellness system reflects your name in the University database. However, during registration, please inform staff of your authentic name and pronouns. We will be noted in your records and be respected by Campus Wellness staff.

Your first name listed in WatIM is used broadly across campus (e.g LEARN, Quest, WatCard, etc.) and this can be updated at any time. Take a moment to sign in and verify or add an authentic name in WatIM.

You may also update your WatCard to reflect your authentic identity.

Name change, preferred or legal - $20
Photo retake - $20 Old card must be returned or it will be considered a lost card replacement. (NOTE: The fee for a photo retake may be waived, if the photo on the current card no longer accurately reflects the cardholder’s appearance)

Additional resources for name changes can be found through WUSA Glow Centre under 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.