University of Virginia Library

Meeting Women's Needs

By KATHY NUNNELEY
and JESSICA SMITH

The gynecology department
of Student Health provides
various health services for
University women.

Founded only a year and a
half ago, the department has
broadened its scope to include
educational as well as clinical
services.

Appointments for physical
examinations, birth control
and abortion counseling may
be scheduled by calling
Student Health Nurse Carolyn
Johnson.

A three to four-week
waiting period may be
expected due to the limited
number of doctors and the
large number of women
seeking appointments.

However, head
gynecologist, Dr. U.G. Turner
III, concerned about the
possible delay, assured that
urgent problems are handled
immediately.

Dr. Turner also stressed the
personal and strictly
confidential nature of all
consultation and the possible
alternative of referral to local
doctors or other departments
of the University Hospital if
Student Health GYN cannot
adequately help a patient.

To complement the clinical
division of the GYN
Department, an effort towards
educating students on human
sexually was made with the
formation of the Counselors
Committee on Human
Sexuality.

The committee, which
includes dormitory counselors,
concerned students and
professional advisors, held
discussions and seminars for
first-year students last spring.

Through this approach to
sexual education, Dr. Turner
hopes to eliminate common
misconceptions caused by lack
of factual information.

Seminars will be conducted
for the incoming first-year class
during their first weekend at
the University.

These will be supplemented
by the distribution of an
updated edition of "An Ounce
of Prevention," a Student
Council publication of factual
information. This booklet is
expected to be available to all
student in late October.

Other pamphlets dealing
with specific topics such as
venereal diseases and abortion
will be issued during the
remainder of the year.

Through clinical and
educational means the
gynecology clinic is attempting
to meet the needs of University
women,