By: Aimee Barker
[This is part of a new series where some our student nurses on campus will answer any health questions you would like answered. If you have a question you want answered, you can submit it to this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/askthestudentnurse. All questions will be anonymous.]
Question: I am an international student on campus and am finding it hard to access resources here. What resources do you offer for Women’s Health on campus?
Thank you for your submission of a great question regarding women’s health resources on the UPEI campus.
Many resources are offered at UPEI for women’s health. The Student Health Centre (located in Student Affairs on the 2nd floor of the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, above the Bookstore) offers the services of two physicians — Dr David Reid and Dr Jennifer Ashby. Dr Reid is a general physician while Dr Ashby specializes in women’s sexual health. Dr Ashby is in the clinic Tuesday mornings and Dr Reid is in Wednesday and Thursday mornings. A psychiatrist — Dr Heather Keizer — consults with students on a referral basis on Mondays.
A registered nurse, Amy Hayden, is available on campus daily, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and books appointments for various student health concerns.
Collectively, the team is a great resource. Amy can refer patients to one of the doctors, who can then provide further consultation, medication prescriptions, etc. Some of the services that the clinic offers specifically in relation to women’s health are birth control pills and other contraceptive methods, including condoms, pregnancy testing, screening and treatment options for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual assault information and assistance, menstrual concerns, Pap smears, and medical and/or community referrals for further medical attention.
To see a full list of health services provided by the UPEI Student Health Centre, visit http://www.upei.ca/studentlife/student-affairs, and click on the “Student Health Centre” tab.
I will be holding a ‘laid-back ladies night’ dedicated to informing international students about sexual health issues. Amy will be there to provide nurse advice and information on various topics related to women’s health. There will be lots of fun games as well as free food and non-alcoholic beverages, and prizes. If you would like to increase your knowledge about women’s sexual health (i.e., STIs, contraceptive methods, etc.), please join us on November 2 from 7:00-8:30 pm at the campus life lounge in Student Affairs. Please join my Facebook group, Girl Talk, if you would like to attend!
I hope you find this information helpful. If you need assistance, email studenthealthcentre@upei.ca or call the Student Health Centre at (902) 566-0616 to book an appointment with the nurse or doctor.
Call 911 if you are experiencing a health emergency. If you need assistance after-hours, you can call 811 to speak to a registered nurse; this service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.