USC Student Health is committed to providing comprehensive, integrated care for transgender students at USC. We understand that gender is a complex mix of cultural, biological and psychological factors. We use an integrative health model that can assist students with information and support related to transgender, genderqueer and non-binary health and wellness. Contact us at 213-740-9355 (WELL) or through the MySHR patient portal to make an appointment with a provider to discuss how we may support your needs.
Health Services
Each transgender person has a different story and may be at a different stage in their transition; with different needs and expectations. For that reason we recommend that all transgender patients make an appointment with a primary care clinician with experience in gender-affirming care so that we can get to know you, review your medical history, and work with you to get you the assistance needed.
Your gender-affirming care team at USC Student Health has specialized training and experience in gender-affirming health care inquiries, hormone treatment, counseling, consultations, nutrition services, and referrals.
Medical Team
Haley Clause, WHNP, Pronouns: she, hers
Specialist, transgender health
Trudy Kao, FNP-BC, Pronouns: she, hers
Specialist, transgender health
Patty Pinanong, M.D., Pronouns: she, her, hers
Specialist, transgender health
Registered Dieticians
Patrice Barber, RD
Michelle Katz, MS, RD, MPH, CHES
Counseling and Mental Health Team
All CMH clinicians strive to provide gender-affirming care; services include providing letters of support for surgery. The following clinicians currently provide such letters for USC students:
Matthew Brinkley, Psy.D. LMFT, Pronouns: he, him, his
Riley Davis, LMFT, Pronouns: they, them, theirs
Guru Khalsa, LMFT, Pronouns: she, her, hers
Ekta Kumar, Psy.D., Pronouns: she, her, hers
Dustin Nowaskie, M.D., (Psychiatry) Pronouns: they, them, theirs
Gender-Affirming Care celebrates 10 years at USC Student Health
In a look back on the past 10 years, current and former clinical providers had an opportunity to recall the origins and differences that have helped make the team what it is today.
Read the full story at USC Today.
Patient Options
Hormone Therapy: If you are interested in hormone therapy, please make an appointment to see a transgender care medical provider.
Surgery: When you meet with your gender-affirming care provider in Student Health, you can discuss your concerns about surgery and the process involved; you are also encouraged to make an appointment with a provider in Counseling and Mental Health services, so letter(s) of support can be arranged as part of the surgical care process.
- When you have connected with a provider who will perform your surgery, the surgeon’s office will file pre-authorization paperwork with your insurance provider, as will as manage consultation visits.
- SHIP/Aetna plan requires one letter from a behavioral health provider for breast surgery or genital surgery.
Insurance Benefits
Student Health Insurance Plan Benefits: Transgender surgery and hormones are covered benefits of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provided through Aetna. For additional details, contact Aetna Member Services line for USC students at 1-877-626-2299 (TTY: 711). Please see pages 13-19 of the SHIP update for additional information.
A patient navigator from Aetna can help answer your questions about coverage and pre-certification requirements from health care providers for procedures.
You may be covered for a variety of surgeries, including:
• Breast reduction, removal or augmentation
• Removal of reproductive organs
• Creation of exterior sexual organs
For patients with non-SHIP/Aetna insurance, please contact your member services (located on the back of your insurance card) to determine coverage for benefits.
Surgical Care at Keck Medicine of USC
Referrals for surgical care at Keck Medicine of USC can be arranged through the USC Student Health gender-affirming care team. Talk to your USC Student Health provider if this is an option you would like to pursue.
The Keck Medicine of USC team of internationally renowned clinicians are dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate gender-affirming care. Surgeons at Keck Medicine of USC’s gender-affirming care team are experienced in gender-affirming surgery (also referred to as transgender surgery by some patients), including chest procedures (top surgery), genital procedures (bottom surgery), facial procedures (including facial feminization/masculinization) and hysterectomies. This practice also coordinates with subspecialists that include — but are not limited to — experts in endocrinology, gynecology, otolaryngology (home department of the USC Voice Center), occupational therapy, physical therapy and plastic surgery.
Questions related to other gender-affirming care options and external services
There are a growing variety of gender-affirming care options in the health care field (fertility preservation, hair removal, and other specialty services). Please check with your insurance navigator to see if these are covered for reimbursement under your current insurance plan. Our care coordination team can help you with obtaining required referrals.
Please note that services that are outside of USC Student Health (including surgeries, prescriptions, external therapy services) may require a copay for visits, as these will be insurance-based care services.
Additional Campus Resources
LGBTQ+ Student Center
Provides information on transgender resources, including gender and/or name changes, housing concerns, insurance information and programming and support. Offices are located in Student Union 202.
Confidential Advocacy, Resources, and Education — Support Center (CARE-SC)
Provides services for any survivor of gender-based harm, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. This center was previously known as Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services (RSVP).
All-Gender Restrooms on Campus
Note: You are welcome to use any restroom that you would like to in the student health centers.
Supportive measures for students through EEO-TIX: this office may be able to assist students who experience unequal treatment due to gender, gender identity, gender expression or other protected characteristic. Reporting options are available on this website.