Health Center provides inexpensive service
Students at Utah State University can get professional medical help at low prices right on campus.
Located in the Taggart Student Center, Room 102, Student Health Services is organized to help students with many different problems.
Dr. Jim Davis, director of Student Health Services, said the center offers the services students would find in any general medical clinic.
He said the doctors are prepared to provide care for anything from acute needs (like a sore throat or ankle sprain) to chronic illnesses such as diabetes or depression.
The doctors come from diverse backgrounds and expertise which enhances the quality of care they can provide, Davis said.
He stressed the fact Student Health Services is around to supply the students with high quality health care for very reasonable prices. In many cases the service is free, even if the student doesn’t have health insurance.
Davis said the university recognizes students are cost-conscious so it tries to provide many services at the lowest price possible.
Any services that only require time such as general physical exams, check-ups for the flu or any illness, physical therapy and depression are free. Other assistance that may require supplies or lab services could require a small fee, Davis said.
For instance, wart removal costs $2, a pap smear is about $27 and more extensive exams that require specific tests may cost around $38, Davis said.
He said many students ask how these services are provided at such a low price.
“The university feels it is in the public’s health interest to keep students on campus healthy,” he said.
Fees for health services are already included in every student’s tuition, much like the library or computer labs fees. It is available to use any time a student may need it, Davis said.
“We are not here to make a big profit on the student, we’re here to provide the service,” he said.
According to records kept at Student Health Services, more than 5,600 students were treated last year for some kind of health problem.
Davis said the number isn’t too bad considering there are 17,000 students living on or very close to campus, but they want to get the word out so they can help many more.
Camille Monson, a student in liberal arts, said she has been able to take advantage of the services a few times and was very happy with the results.
Monson was involved in a mountain biking accident a couple of weeks ago in Moab and had to go to Student Health Services to have the stitches removed.
“I’ve had stitches taken out of my face before, and the health center did a much better job,” Monson said. “The best part is that it is free.”
Another good thing about the center is how convenient all of the services are, Davis said.
“It is very convenient,” Davis said. “We are here, [the students] are here and we will try to work around the students’ schedule so they can get to class on time.”
The doctors in the center are always willing to help the student in any way they can and each specializes in areas particular to students’ needs, Davis said.
Erin Morris, a student in nutrition, saw how caring the doctors were when she went in because of a foot injury. The doctor told her the injury was minor, but he also noticed her blood pressure was too high.
The doctor recommended that she come in periodically to make sure everything was all right.
“They were very professional,” Morris said. “And it was all free – that’s the best part.”
Student Health Services will not be located in the TSC forever.
Davis said they plan to move to a new location at the surgical center just north of Romney Stadium around the Thanksgiving break.
The move will be really good because the facility will be much bigger and their ability to handle more cases will be increased, Davis said.