Changes at Health Center allow family care Changes at Health Center allow family careChanges at Health Center allow family care
The Student Health and Wellness Center just became accessible to more people.
After years of a student only policy the health center will now be offering its services to the spouses and dependents of students, center director Jim Davis said.
While most students pay a health fee along with their student body fees to be able to use the center, spouses and dependents can now pay an individual fee of around $35 each semester to be treated at the center as well.
Fees can be paid at the cashiers office or at the center itself. Students may also pay their spouse’s or childrens’ fees along with their own.
The fee pays for doctors’ appointments and exams and is “still cheaper than going downtown,” Davis said. Additional fees are charged for stitches or medications.
The Health and Wellness Center is a walk-in clinic that provides general care for students as well as specialty doctors including a psychiatrist, dietitian, dermatologist, and those specialized in sports medicine and women’s health.
The clinic has no pediatricians but Davis is confident that children of students will be able to receive basic care.
However, the clinic will only accept children older than six months.
The proposal to treat spouses and dependents was initiated by students. After two years of planning by the center, and approval by the executive counsel, President Kermit L. Hall, and the board of trustees, the decision was made.
Fifty percent of USU students marry before graduation so the center, stands to grow in the number of people served as well as the staff itself.
On a normal day at the center between 50 and 120 students are treated and after spouses and dependents are added, this number could raise drastically.
As numbers grow so will the staff. If needed, the center may eventually open for a few hours on Saturday and the pharmacy could extend its hours.
“We hope to level out the ups and downs. Everything will adjust so that you don’t have to wait for hours or days,” Davis said.
Davis also maintains the changes will pay themselves and won’t burden single students with additional fees.
“It’s something we didn’t rush into. Now we just have the ability to expand as needed,” Davis said.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics the most common college illnesses are related to upper respiratory infections such as colds, the flu, and sore throats.
College living conditions such as dorms and apartments are an easy habitat for germs to grow and spread. Bacterial diseases such as strep throat and sinus and ear infections, as well as sports injuries, are also common.
Germs are also spread in the classroom. Students are surrounded by germs their bodies aren’t used to and students often go to class even when they are sick. Other lacking factors in the lives of students are sufficient rest and hand-washing.
Davis said the majority of students feel they are invincible and “burn the candle at both ends.”
Most students also put off going to the doctor longer than they should. Davis believes that many students find themselves a little lost at college because for the first time they are away from ‘Dr. Mom.’
Davis encourages students to join the Student Health Advisory Committee.
“We do listen to students,” Davis said.
The Student Health and Wellness Center is located at 850 E 1200 North on the east side of the stadium parking lot. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with appointments from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are also accepted. The pharmacy is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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