Marvelous Moana Movie Review
Recreational marijuana
See page 10
See page 3
HAPPY HOLIDAYS See pages 6 & 7
The Importance of School Start Time See page 4
Fremont High School
the Momina Nadeem & Emily Wright Collaboration
In May of 2016, Stanford Children’s Health opened up a new specialty services clinic at 1195 West Fremont Avenue in Sunnyvale. It offers 25 clinical subspecialties, including teen health services through its Adolescent Medicine Clinic. According to Amy Valentine, licensed clinical social worker, the location offers 5 clinics specifically for adolescents, including a general Adolescent Clinic, Eating Disorder Clinic, Weight Clinic, Gynecology Clinic and Gender Clinic. Many of the clinic’s current services were previously offered at separate locations in the Bay Area before the opening of this new location to centralize their services.
As teens delvelop increasing independece through their high school years, it is important that they begin to understand and take reposibility for their physical and mental health. Jonathan avila
One of the more unique services offered is the Gender Clinic, where gender questioning youth have the opportunity to consult with a multidisciplinary team for evaluation and possible treatment. “In the Gender Clinic, we do an assessment,” Valentine said. “Usually, I call the families on the phone ahead of time and get a little bit of the psycho-social history from a parent prior to the intake appointment. When they come in for the initial intake, they meet with an endocrinologist, and if indicated, with an adolescent medicine doctor, gynecologist, or urology provider.” The clinic also offers
PHOENIX
services and support for adolescents with eating disorders, as well as confidential reproductive services. Under California’s Confidential Health Information Act, minors can get access to sensitive services like reproductive health care without parental notification. Additionally, under California Education Code Section 48205, minors have the right to leave campus during school hours to seek confidential medical services. According to Jesus Ramirez, Fremont High School Family Liaison, students can notify any adult staff member on campus if they need to leave to seek confidential health care. “We would notify attendance so [the students] don’t get marked as unexcused absence,” Ramirez said. “As long as [attendance] is notified, they’re not supposed to be marked as an unexcused absence and a phone call shouldn’t go home.” Furthermore, under Family Planning Access, Care and Treatment (FPACT or Family PACT), low-income California youth or those seeking confidentiality can gain access to nocost, comprehensive family planning services. According to Jonathan Avila, MD, fellow physician in adolescent medicine, patients interested in FPACT visits fill out a questionnaire and a card for eligibility purposes. Under Family PACT, the patient is insured by the state, so parents do not get an explanation of benefits, honoring the confidentiality of the visit. Avila still encourages teens to have an open communication with parents. “It’s nicer when parents at least know something, but they don’t have to.” According to Avila, teenagers coming in for confidential health services under FPACT do not need insurance information, because the state is paying for it. However, he said it is important that teenagers know about their medical history, such as medications taken and allergies so doctors are aware.
Vol. 5 Issue No. 3 Dec. 9, 2016
“We would encourage teenagers to get regular medical care, whether they get confidential care through Family PACT, or through using their parents’ insurance,” Valentine said. “I think it’s also important for people to look out for their mental health too, because we live in really stressful times.” Avila agrees. “As teens develop increasing independence through their high school years, it is important that they begin to understand and take responsibility for their physical and mental health”.
Student Health options: Stanford Health Clinic Maggie Bernauer | The Phoenix