Contact SHS
Phone | (909) 621-8222
Fax | (909) 621-8472
After Hours Emergency | (909) 607-2000
Student Health Services
Tranquada Student Services Center – 1st Floor
757 College Way
Claremont, CA, 91711
Gender Affirming Services
Gender Affirming Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you must be 18 years of age or older to receive GAHT at SHS. Those under the age of 18 will be provided with referrals to a pediatric endocrinologist for evaluation and management.
Yes, as long as you are 18 years of age or older, in most cases, SHS should be able to coordinate with your outside provider and take over management of your GAHT care. In the rare situation where you have had a complicated clinical course or are on a medication not routinely prescribed by SHS, you may be advised to continue with your previous provider or referred to a local specialist for management instead.
SHS only provides hormonal therapy for gender affirmation. However, SHS can help you with referrals to surgeons who provide gender affirming surgical procedures (e.g., top surgery, bottom surgery).
While we always recommend a multi-disciplinary team approach to your care, this is not a requirement for you to receive GAHT at SHS. However, any substantial underlying mental health issues do need to be reasonably well-managed in order to start or continue hormonal therapy. If your evaluation at SHS at any time suggests a substantial mental health condition which is not well-managed, then you may be required to consult with a culturally competent mental health professional before starting or continuing hormonal therapy.
During your first visit*, you should expect your provider to discuss with you:
- Your desired goals in regard to gender affirmation
- Then, based on those goals, discuss the various treatment options which can help you achieve those goals
- An expected timeframe to start noticing these changes, including which changes may be permanent (non-reversible)
- Risks and benefits of such treatments, and suggestions on how to manage them
- Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, risk of pregnancy (for those who still have a cervix/uterus), and the likely possibility of future infertility
- Any substantial underlying health issues which may require better management in conjunction with, or possibly before proceeding with hormonal therapy
- Signing an informed consent prior to starting a treatment plan at SHS
- Lastly, ordering any required initial screening testing as well as establishing the frequency of follow-up visits and testing
*Please keep in mind that depending on the complexity of your personal history, it is possible that it might take more than one visit to complete your initial intake.
During your follow-up visits, you can expect your provider to
- Review your most recent labs with you
- Review how satisfied you are with the treatment efficacy and adjust the regimen, as needed
- Review any side effects from the treatment plan
- Order any needed labs
- Schedule your next follow-up visit
Yes, a physical exam is necessary in order for your provider to ensure you can start (or continue) your treatment plan safely. However, please know that you can stop or reschedule parts of an exam if you are uncomfortable.
Meet Our Gender Affirming Care Providers
Eric Clark, MD
Staff Physician | Email
I am very fortunate to have been born and raised in Southern California. I attended the University of Southern California for my undergraduate studies, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. I then completed four years of medical training at UC Davis Medical School, followed by three years of specialized training at UC Davis Family Practice Residency Program in Redding, California. I have been in private practice most of my career and worked for the The Claremont Colleges Student Health Services for the last 5 years. My experience providing healthcare to colleges students with such diverse backgrounds has opened my eyes to a lot of the unique and difficult challenges that so many students face regarding their physical and mental health. I am proud to work at SHS where we work as a team to provide compassionate care for our patients. We never stop striving to improve our services. I look forward to providing additional services to our students seeking gender affirming care.
Sirisha Mohan
Staff Physician | Email
Welcome! I am proud to be a board-certified Family Medicine physician with a specialty in Women’s Health. This is my first experience in college health and I am excited to be here! My clinical expertise includes primary care, family planning and contraception, along with sexual health and hormonal therapy. I grew up in Upland and Glendora and have close ties to The Claremont Colleges community. My hobbies include cooking with my husband, getting on my Peloton bike and spending time with family and friends. Hope to see you soon!
Katy Tsung
Nurse Practitioner| Email
I was born in NY (Poughkeepsie for any FRIENDS fans), moved to southern California at a young age and have been here since. I received my BSN at CSULA and FNP degree at Azusa Pacific University. I am also board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. My experience has been in emergency medicine and urgent care. My free time is spent mostly chasing after my three young kids. We enjoy camping and visiting the aquarium.
Fiona Vajk, Ph.D.
Assistant Director / Training Director | Email
My approach to brief individual therapy is to help individuals draw from their strengths, in order to explore possibilities for change and growth, taking into account each person’s unique life experiences and cultural background. My particular areas of specialty are sexual assault/abuse, multicultural and international issues, identity development, women’s issues, body image concerns, mindfulness/meditation, and relationship issues. I am currently the MCAPS liaison to Pitzer College. I serve on the Institutional Review Board for Scripps College, and the CCRT Team for the EMPOWER Center.
Education: B.A. from Princeton University, M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from University of Colorado at Boulder
Notable Training and Experience: I have published several articles and book chapters, and have presented at conferences in subjects including mood disorders, supervision of therapists, hidden disabilities, and international counseling. I have attended the Association of Counseling Center Training Directors Conference for 9 years, the National Multicultural Conference and Summit for 3 years, and the NaBITA Conference and Threat Management Institute for 2 years. I am NaBITA Certified in Campus Threat Management. I am also fluent in French and I served in the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa.
Emily Hauck, Ph.D.
Senior Staff Therapist | Email
Education: BA from Westmont College in Psychology; MA in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary; MA in Psychology and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology
Notable Training and Experience: I have worked in the counseling centers of four different universities prior to joining the MCAPS team and I have attended various professional conferences including the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, American Psychoanalytic Association, and meetings of the Los Angeles Psychoanalytic Institute. My dissertation research focused on the psychological impact of the Purity Culture movement in American Evangelical Christianity. I have co-developed workshops on healing religious shame for LGBTQIA college students, self-compassion, and managing grief during emerging adulthood. I have also led therapy groups for grief, anxiety management, and body image.
Carrie Park, Psy.D.
Senior Staff Psychologist | Email
Education: B.S. at the University of Florida; M.S. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University
Notable Training and Experience: I have attended the past three editions of the biennial National Multicultural Conference and Summit, attending sessions on subjects such as Integrated Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students within the University Health System, Counseling African American Women Interpersonal Trauma Survivors, Addressing Racial Microaggressions in Therapy, Intersectional Stress and Survival among Queer People of Color, and more. I have also attended conferences focused specifically on serving transgender students and the Association for Women in Psychology.
My clinical interests include trauma informed care, LGBTQIA, first-generation challenges, women’s issues, and BIPOC experience.
I am currently a liaison for Harvey Mudd College and the MCAPS group coordinator.
Education: B.A. in Psychology & Social Behavior from University of California, Irvine; M.A & Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University.
Notable training & experience: I am fluent in English & Armenian. I have worked closely with first-generation and BIPOC students navigating college life. I am passionate about advocating for LGBTQIA matters, have lead LGBTQ+ support groups, and attended conferences focused specifically on transgender care.