Gender Af f irming Care at USC Student Health
USC Student Health seeks to empower students with information and care related to transgender, genderqueer and non-binary health and wellness. We know that every person has their own story and journey – that’s why our Gender Care Team has been working for more than 10 years to create a welcoming support system that meets your unique needs. While all student health clinicians strive to provide affirming care, the Gender Care Team has specialized training and experience in transgender-related health care inquiries, hormone treatment, counseling, consultations, and referrals.
Meet the Medical Team
Patty Pinanong, M.D.
Pronouns: she, her, hers Lead Physician, Gender Affirming Care Team Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine Patty Pinanong, MD earned her medical degree at Chicago Medical School. Upon finishing her residency training at Harbor UCLA, she completed a Chief Resident year and Primary Care Fellowship. She joined USC Student Health in 2008 after fulfilling her National Health Service Corps commitment. Dr. Pinanong is board certified in Family Medicine. Her primary clinical interest is in serving medically vulnerable populations. She is the lead physician for the Gender Affirming Care Team that she started in 2013. She finds joy as a physician advocate and in helping her patients be their most authentic selves. She provides high quality, trauma informed care to her patients and understands the importance of both allyship and cultural humility.
Haley Clause, WHNP Pronouns: she, hers Clinical Instructor of Family Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (2016) Board Certified Women’s [Gender] Health Nurse Practitioner Haley has worked in sexual and reproductive health since 2012 and specializes in pelvic health, family planning, and gender-affirming care. Before joining USC Student Health in 2022, she served as the Program Director for Transgender Care at Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley. Haley is committed to providing compassionate, trauma-informed care, as well as imparting patients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.
Trudy Kao, FNP-BC Pronouns: she, hers Clinical Instructor of Family Medicine
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia (2013) Certified by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Trudy has worked in college health since 2017, including time at the University of Pennsylvania as well as at Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles. She has a passion for community health and social justice. Her interests include LGBTQ health, gender-affirming care, preventative care, and sexual and reproductive health. Trudy believes in shared decision-making, and championing her patients to become the best possible health advocates for themselves while they are students at USC and beyond.
Jazmine Mayfield, PA-C, MPH, MSPAS Pronouns: she, hers Clinical Instructor of Family Medicine
M.S. Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health, Touro University California B.A. Neuroscience, University of Southern California PA Mayfield is honored to return to her alma mater and serve a diverse student community at the USC Student Health Center. She values a holistic approach to providing culturally competent care, which is inclusive of taking into consideration the effects of social determinants of health when caring for patients. Professionally, her interests in medicine, research, and education are reflected in her commitment to providing equitable access to quality health care where patients feel safe and empowered to make decisions that optimize their health.
Meet the Counseling & Mental Health Team All CMH clinicians strive to provide gender-affirming care; services include providing letters of support for surgery. The following clinicians currently provide such letters for USC students:
Matthew Brinkley, Psy.D. LMFT Pronouns: he, him, his
Doctorate of Psychology in Marital and Family Therapy, California School of Professional Psychology; focus on LGBT Human Services and Mental Health M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy, Syracuse University Matthew has specialized training in trauma-informed care and transgender mental health, and has professional interests in the areas of: individual, couples, and group psychotherapy, gender expression, sex positivity, relationship satisfaction, social justice, Black mental health, LGBT mental health, LGBT athletes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and solution-focused therapy.
Riley Davis, LMFT Pronouns: they, them, theirs
M.A. Counseling Psychology, The Wright Institute in Berkeley Prior to joining USC Counseling & Mental Health, Riley worked in the bay area with teens and caregivers impacted by systemic and intergenerational trauma. As a provider, they show up with openness, humor, creativity and heart. Their work is inspired by many approaches including Mindfulness & body-oriented practices. They are excited to collaborate with students – tapping into and building upon the abundant wisdom and skills that all students possess in reaching their unique and self-defined goals. Riley is also able to provide letters of support for gender affirming surgery. Riley is queer, nonbinary and uses they/them/theirs pronouns.
Guru Shabd Khalsa, LMFT Pronouns: she, hers
M.A., Cal State Northridge. Guru’s professional interests include anxiety and attachment issues, body image and fat positivity, kink and non traditional relationships as well as working with the LGBTQ population. As a therapist, Guru Shabd specializes in individual therapy and works from a Feminist, Strength Based and Psychodynamic perspective. Guru incorporates mindfulness into her practice as well as CBT, Seeking Safety and Motivational Interviewing, hoping to empower and support her clients in finding the best ways for them to navigate the challenges in their life.
Ekta Kumar, Psy.D. Pronouns: she, hers
M.A., Psy.D., University of Indianapolis. APA-internship at USC’s Counseling and Mental Health Post-doctorate fellowship, Loyola University Maryland. Ekta’s professional interests include multicultural psychology, identity development, college mental health, trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, and depression. She is passionate about providing an affirming therapeutic space for individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, underrepresented backgrounds, and clients of color. She utilizes a multiculturally and trauma-informed approach in working with clients & pulls upon interpersonal, cognitivebehavioral, acceptance & commitment, & dialectical behavior therapy to provide a tailored approach for each client. She is fluent in Hindi and is the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry.
Navigating Your Access Gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy are covered benefits of the USC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provided through Aetna. An Aetna patient navigator can help answer your questions about coverage and pre-certification requirements for procedures. For additional details, contact Aetna Member Services line for USC students at 1-877-626-2299 (TTY: 711). Please see pages 13-19 of the SHIP update for additional information: https://uscsthealth.info/SHIP For patients with non-SHIP insurance, please contact your member services office (located on the back of your insurance card) to determine coverage for benefits. If you are interested in the following services, you can make an appointment in MySHR to see a Gender Care provider. • Gender-Affirming Surgery* • Hormone Therapy • Letters of Support *SHIP/Aetna plan requires one letter from a behavioral health provider for chest surgery or genital surgery.
The USC Student Health team is always available to talk about medical and mental health with you. Call (213) 740-WELL (9355) to reach someone 24/7.