Faculty Advisor

A student’s primary resource for general advisement, orientation and help with problems should be his or her faculty advisor.

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
336-716-4271

Dr. Brenda Latham-Sadler,
Assistant Dean for Student Services
336-716-4271

PA Gail Curtis
Chair of PA Academic Affairs Committee and liaison to Learning Assistance Center Services
336-716-2027

CareNet
336-716-0855 or by referral through one’s primary care provider

Student Health

See section entitled Student Health Service.

Health and Effectiveness Council

The Student Health and Effectiveness Council (HEC) 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 Physician Assistant Studies and the Graduate School.

The HEC promotes awareness of the student body and faculty about issues that can impair a student's ability to learn. It also offers a bridge to treatment for students whose health and/or learning abilities are impaired 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 HEC. 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 the process unless a leave of absence from school is needed for treatment. For more information, contact L. Gail Curtis, MPAS, PA-C, at 336-716-2027.

CareNet Counseling Center

CareNet Counseling Center is a psychotherapy resource available to all students. Therapists are certified and/or licensed by the state of North Carolina. For students whose insurance does not cover counseling, a fee modification may be possible with individual therapists, depending on financial ability. For an appointment, call 336-716-0855.