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. Mark Knudson, 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. 55)

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 Dr. Gail Cohen, at 716-9661. 
(WFUSM Bulletin, p. 56)

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. 56)

Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession
(Policy of The American Academy of Physician Assistants. May 2000.)