Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine

What is Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine?

Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine is specialized health care for patients between the ages of 12 and 26 years. We serve as both a primary care clinic as well as a subspecialty clinic for a variety of needs specific to adolescents and young adults.

We recognize adolescents and young adults need specialized medical care with a provider whom they feel comfortable talking to about their concerns. This is an important stage of development that allows gradual independence and increasing personal responsibility for health care as our patients grow into adulthood. Our team is dedicated to helping each patient and their family members navigate this stage of life with the utmost professionalism and unwavering compassion.

What about patient confidentiality?

Under federal and Maryland state law, a minor less than the age of 18 years may consent to confidential health care without their parents’ consent or presence for the following services:

• Psychological treatment 
• Sexual and reproductive health care to include testing and treatment of venereal disease 
• Substance abuse 

We promise our patients confidentiality. We ask parents to leave for part of the visit to maintain confidentiality and to build trust. During the visit, if we discover our patient is in any danger that would cause harm to themselves or others, we will break confidentiality and encourage them to discuss those issues with their parents or guardian. Any necessary intervention will be initiated by the health care provider.

Patients 18 years old and older will need to call to schedule their own appointments.

All patients are asked to bring their own valid military ID to be seen in the clinic. 

Clinic Vision

The vision of the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine (AYAM) Clinic at Walter Reed is to champion our adolescent and young adult patients to make healthy decisions leading to improved health care outcomes. We aspire to be the health care clinic of choice for adolescent and young adult patients throughout the National Capital Region for both primary and subspecialty care. 

We will educate physicians-in-training to provide increased opportunities for comprehensive care for their adolescent and young adult patients. We will provide high-quality medical care to meet the diverse needs of our military-connected patients and their families.

Clinic Mission

The mission of the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine (AYAM) Clinic at Walter Reed is to provide safe, reliable, equitable, and trustworthy evidence-based health care tailored to the needs of our nation’s adolescent and young adult military-connected dependent children ages 12 to 25 years. We strive to promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of our patients and are committed to serving as leaders, advocates, and educators in our military community.

General Health Services:

•     Routine well visits
•     Cervical cancer screening
•     Puberty, growth, and developmental monitoring
•     Acute illnesses and injuries
•     Transition to adult care

Specialized Health Services:

• Acne treatment including isotretinoin
• Concussion diagnosis and management
• Confidential reproductive and sexual health services 
  • Contraception (pills, injections, rings, patches, implants, and hormonal IUDs)
  • Pregnancy testing and counseling 
  • Sexually transmitted infection testing, treatment, and prevention
  • PrEP/PEP
• Depression, anxiety, ADHD diagnosis and management
  • Medication management and therapy referrals
• Eating disorder medical support
• Menstrual abnormalities 
  • Irregular cycles
  • Painful cramps
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Gender affirming care 
  • Hormonal treatment
  • Referrals for further care
  • Resources for therapy
• Headache diagnosis and management
• Substance use and abuse

TRICARE Young Adult
Recommended Clinical Preventative Services for Adolescents
Cervical Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening?
Child Development Positive Parenting Tips – Young Teens (12-14 years)
Child Development Positive Parenting Tips – Teenagers (15-17 years)
Information for Parents with Teens (Ages 12-19)
Vaccines at 13 to 18 Years
Contraception
Menstrual Cycle
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Youth Tobacco Prevention 
Mental Health
Telemynd – Mental Health support for the Military Community