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Gynecolo By DEBBIE BAGWELL Gamecock Staff Writer The USC Gynecology Center provides more than just medical services, according to Dr. William Potts, director. "A portion of my philosophy as to what our iob should he is that we do more than just practice the mechanics of gynecology," Potts said. "We hope to establish an educational program for our t: u i ? pmicuis UCllCI UUUCIMUIIUlllg. Unfortunately, there is usually not enough time in a regular gynecology practice tc explain the procedures, so we hope our patients will know their backgrounds when they leave." THE CLINIC, located on the fourth floor of the Student Health Center, was opened in its present form during the fall semester of 1973. Prior to that it operated only part-time, once a week. The decision to expand its services was made jointly by Dr. Isao Hirata, director of Student Health Ser vices, and Charles Witten, dean of the College of Education. The medical staff consists o Potts, the clinic's only full-tinu gynecologist, Dr. Manly Hut chinson Sr., a local gynecologis lirtirt umrlrc nopMima ariH turn fill XV 11W VV V71 I\0 pui t U111V) UliU IVYU A Ul time nurses. Potts said the clinic ii "in the market" for anothe gynecologist to help handle th< approximately 5,000 patients th clinic receives from September t May. THE DEMAND for the clinic' I, The OAMECOCK it the student ]|j newspaper of the University of South II Carolina and is published twice weekly on Monday and Thursday during the fall | and spring semesters and once weekly I on Thursday during both summer terms I with the exceptions of four times in I August and on University of South I Carolina holidays and examination I periods. ' I Opinions expressed in The Gamecock 1 are those of the editors and not those of' I the University of South Carolina. I TWa. lnl..ir.'* aI Cau*Mk />a?AlU? la am. equal opportunity institution. Chanve of addrati forma, subscription requests and other correspondence should be sent to The Gamecock, Drawer A, (JSC, Columbia, S.C., Stmt. Subscription rales are M par semester and 12 for the summer sessions. YhlrH rlau ! im HaLft * raliiiaitila. ?" =1 eZ>t/C^r/0/V/AC CV9aW/JM7A?W -> 4"?-?] moat sw' ..^^^-fsonnplete^ \<\ Ifxj&s*. G-o^cra\/?*. ice: / -to S>HArr\Poo . . . f'V Ip/?C>AA. ^?AvV AJur^> hit. far- U Vitality I gy Center services is greater than its ahilitv to provide, according to Potts. To alleviate this problem, nurse Gertrude Roland, who has been with the clinic since its conception, is authorized to conduct simple examinations and treat nonserious conditions that need immediate attention. "This screening technique allows us to handle a great many more patients," said rolls. The clinic offers a "total office gynecology practice," according to Potts, which includes regular pelvic exams, VD tests, pap smears, contraceptive assistance, and treatment for irregular bleeding and vaginal and urinary tract infections. It also provides counseling in unplanned pregnancies. The clinic is not equipped for surgery, and for this, the patient is referred to a local or hometown gynecologist. Potts said, that while they do make abortion referrals, he doesn't like to think of it this way. "I feel strongly that the patient should not just have an abortion .1 <A- Parr. 1 DIAMONDS JIWII e Expert Watch J< 0 2024 Devine Str< . I 5 Points h HI Mil Wl III! IIBIIII? Ill : ? SI | in t III ? seeks to e< referral," he said. "I believes in counseling on the options and then lpttintf tho natiunt Htvnirlo Qha JI v vv>> vaav J/MVIVIIV UVVIUVi K/i IV should be well aware of all the alternatives." WEDNESDAYS and Fridays are set aside for just such counseling, as well as for assistance with any other matter, such as sexual dysfunctions or emotional problems concerning sex. THE GYNECOLOGY Center will seek to further its program of general counseling by helping with the "Open Door" facility to be established in the Russell House in January. The "Open Door," which WJ ill Hpal U7lfh cov_ralofnf) f* V%fT <via UVA iViai/VU problems, is being set up by the College of Health and Physical Education, under the direction of Rollin Reeder and Murray Vincent. Potts says that this program will reach students more directly through dorm and group presentations, and will let the students know that "facilities are available if they will utilize them." ell Jefaeters - WMCHIS LRY ewelry Repairing eet PHONE: 799-0557 ducate pat All of the services the i Gynecology Center offers for outpatients, except for medications and lab work, are covered by the student activities fee. Hospitalized patients receive their medication and lab work free of extra charge. THE CLINIC handles about 22 students per day. Regular appointments are made from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. Appointments should be made about six weeks in advance, except for emergencies which can be worked in at any time. For a routine first visit or the annual check-up, the patient is first required to fill out a questionnaire of family, personal, and . gynecological history, which Potts reviews with her. This is followed by a visual examination of the pelvic region, a PIZZA Oft Rolling Fast To FREE Delivery I Tuesday &Wedi ORDER a 1 2 inch f Super Pizza and ge Call 252-7383 for I [ I <?x ients e digital exam, a pap smear, gonorrhea culture, and a breast examination. "Anybody who thinks a pelvic must be painful has been misled; there is no reason it should be?even for a six year old." Students who come to the clinic for contraceptives must have the complete examination. Although # Potts says that the pill is the best method of birth control, he "falls over backwards to get the most effective contraceptive for the particular individual." The vast majority of the clinic's patients do choose the pill, according to Potts. "We may not be able to work miracles, but we do care about our patients," said Potts. "Our function is to educate, as well as treat, and if we don't do this, then we ^ have failed." IWHBBL9 ~~ U.S.C. Campus Mon. thru. Fri. rtesday SPECIAL Regular or 16 inch t another for $1.00 Fast FREE Delivery mBBBBEBBBBBm ? 8 jtoiBBSM ?