Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
RESOURCES FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
Faculty Advisor
The primary resource for a Physician Assistant student should be to contact his or her faculty advisor for general advisement, orientation, and help with focusing on problems.
Personal, Academic, and Professional Counselors
The following are available to provide counseling or referral for transient or long-term personal problems that interfere with academic performance or personal well-being: Dr. J. Mac Ernest, associate dean for student services, 716-4271; Dr. Brenda Latham-Sadler, assistant dean for student services, 716-4271; PA Gail Curtis, Chair of PA Academic Affairs Committee and liaison to Learning Assistance Center Services 716-2027; CareNet, 716-0855; or by referral through one’s primary care provider. (WFUSM Bulletin, p. 52)
Student Health
See section entitled Student Health Service.
Health and Effectiveness Council
The Student Health and Effectiveness Council was established in March 1985 to promote the health and well-being of Wake Forest University School of Medicine students. The purpose of the council is to facilitate health through illness prevention, to facilitate early identification of problems that impair a student's ability to learn, and to provide a bridge to treatment and rehabilitation services for medical, graduate, and physician assistant students. The mission of the HEC is endorsed and encouraged by the School of Medicine administration. The council is made up of elected student representatives and volunteer faculty from the School of Medicine, the Department of Pysician Assistant Studies, and the Graduate School.
The Health and Effectiveness Council works in two ways. The first is in promoting awareness of the student body and faculty about issues that can impair a student's ability to learn. The second is in offering a bridge to treatment for students whose health and/or learning abilities are imparied for any reason. Students may be impaired in their ability to carry out their studies or work in a responsible manner for any of a variety of reasons ranging from stress around exam time to interpersonal problems, substance abuse, eating disorders or psychiatric problems. Impairment may be recognized by behavior in classroom or clinical settings that prohibits a student from achieving to the best of his/her ability, or violates rules, ethics or other accepted standards for behavior in the healthcare system.
Students themselves may seek help through the Health and Effectiveness Council. This self referral process does not involve the administration. Once a student has agreed to work in this process, he/she will be referred for evaluation to an expert mental health professional. The HEC does not fund this referral. THIS PROCESS IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. The School of Medicine’s administration will not be involved in this process unless a leave of absence from school is needed for treatment. For more information, contact L. Gail Curtis, MPAS, PA-C, at 716-2027. (WFUSM Bulletin, p. 53)
CareNet Counseling Center
CareNet Counseling Center is a resource for psychotherapy available to all students. The therapists are certified and/or licensed by the state of North Carolina. For those without insurance that covers counseling, a fee modification depending on financial ability may be possible with individual therapists. For an appointment, call 716-0855. (WFUSM Bulletin, p. 53)