Student Health and Wellness Center provides affordable health care
Located at 850 E. 1200 North, the Student Health and Wellness Center boasts a wide variety of services for Aggies and their families. Director Jim Davis, said the Health and Wellness Center is an ideal place for USU students to go when they require medical attention because of its location and qualified staff.
“It’s at a very convenient location near the Spectrum and we specialize in students,” Davis said. “We have a desire to see them succeed and will do what it takes to get them well.”
Since students are required to pay a student health fee at the start of the semester, most services through the health center are free. Davis said lab tests, X-rays, physical therapy visits and dietitian counseling are virtually the only services that do require a fee.
However, if a student has insurance, Davis said the Health and Wellness Center will use that to pay for the expenses and no co-pay will be required.
Despite the fact that most services are free or at low cost, Davis said it is still important for students to have some kind of health insurance.
“Students still need access to health insurance for emergencies that happen after the health center is closed and when they need access to services off campus,” he said.
Although Davis recommends heading to the emergency room for serious life threatening medical emergencies, he said most of the medical services students need can be found at the Health and Wellness Center.
Davis said there are two parts to the Student Health and Wellness Center which fulfills both the physical and mental aspects of a students well-being. The health section includes the Women’s Center, a private area specializing in contraceptive counseling and gynecological issues, an on-site pharmacy and a medical laboratory. There are also several rooms used for everything from physical exams to allergy shots.
The wellness section of the Student Health and Wellness Center, Davis said, is geared more towards health education. This is where students can come to learn more about drug and alcohol addiction, receive nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian and participate in physical therapy sessions.
Davis said the Wellness Center, which is easily accessed from the north entrance, can also be a great resource for gathering information for reports and school projects.
The Wellness Center is also home to Sexual Assault and Anti Violence Information (SAAVI) which, according to their Web site www.usu.edu/saavi, strives to “educate Utah State about relationship violence, help students, faculty and staff impacted by relationship violence and promote healthy relationships” by providing hotlines for students who have been sexual assault and abuse victims and organizing events to raise awareness of these issues. SAAVI also helps students connect to counselors who can help them resolve any issue they may need help with.
Davis said the most common illnesses treated at the Student Health and Wellness Center are depression and upper respiratory infections. For both of these, Davis said the on-location pharmacy can come in handy. Sold at cost, the prescriptions for students are generally cheaper through the Student Health and Wellness Center.
Appointments for any of the services proved by the Health and Wellness Center can be made by calling 797-1660. Davis said they can usually get students in on the same or next day. Made to accommodate students, Davis said the Student Health and Wellness Center has tried to make it easy and stress-free to see a qualified doctor.
“We prefer you to make an appointment,” Davis said, “but we accept walk-ins. It’s right on the shuttle route and we have parking out front for easy accessibility.”
For students who are unsure about whether or not their ailment needs attention, Davis has a few guidelines.
“You should come in if you have temperature over 101.5 degrees, persistent pain, you can’t use a specific body part, if you have diarrhea more than one day or if you have any questions at all,” Davis said. “We welcome any questions and understand that, this being your first time away from home, you may not be the best judge.”
–amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu