Who needs a to complete a medical form?
Every student  must have a medical form on file at the Health Center. Blank forms may be picked up at the Health Center, the Office or Admissions or downloaded here (link to the medical form) .


Do I need immunizations?
Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1956 who is taking six credit hours or more must provide the Health Center with proof that they've received two measles, one mumps and one rubella immunization since their 1st birthday. There also are a number of recommended immunizations. For more information, click here (link to immunizations section)


Do I need an appointment?
No appointments are necessary for routine services. Appointments are required for specialty or specific needs such as athletic physicals, birth control exams and referrals for a physician.


Can I get a medical excuse for classes?
The Health Center staff will provide medical excuses for missing class, depending on the nature of the illness. If a student is told that he/she should not attend classes, the student must notify his/her advisor and/or faculty. Faculty can verify a student's visit to the Health Center, but information about the reason for a visit is not released without the student's written consent. Information is also withheld from parents, friends or anyone else unless the student has given written consent for information to be released. Confidentiality is strictly enforced. In cases of serious illness involving hospitalization or strict bed rest, the nursing staff will notify the Student Affairs Office and the academic dean.


Whom do I see when I come in?
The nurse will greet you upon entering the facility. After assessment, the nurse will decide whom you need to see. If it is necessary for you to see the doctor, the nurse will make the referral.


Where can I pick up insurance claim forms?
If you have a claim to file under the college's optional insurance plan, you can pick up forms at the Health Center. If you have private insurance, check with that company for details about submitting claims.


Can I make suggestions about something at the Health Center?
Please do!  You can speak to any of the staff about suggestions or concerns. We encourage students to let us know what they would like provided by Health Services. Your feedback helps us to improve and is valued input.


What is a provider?
"Provider" refers to a health-care professional – physicians, physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and such. The Health Center is staffed by a full-time registered nurse.


What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with additional education in evaluating and treating common health problems and concerns. A nurse practitioner has a master’s degree in nursing and is board certified in a specialty area such as adult primary care, family primary care or women’s health care. Nurse practitioners emphasize counseling and health education along with skills for assessing and managing illness and prescribing medications. They work in collaboration with the Health Center to help you get well and maintain good health.


What do I do to see a doctor or nurse practitioner in the Health Center?
You can call or stop in to make an appointment. If you feel your health concern or problem is urgent, please let the nurse know. The  nurse will help determine if you need to be seen immediately or later that day. If you have a preference for a male or female provider or need an interpreter, please let us know.


My doctor at home will prescribe antibiotics over the phone if I am sick. Will you do that?
No. You need to be examined by a medical provider first to determine the nature of your illness. If you have a viral illness - a cold, upper respiratory infection or bronchitis - antibiotics will not help you. They work only on bacterial illnesses. Due to the serious worldwide problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, largely related to the overuse, we try to be very responsible in the use of these medications. 
If you have a cold, for example, there are treatments and over-the-counter medicines that can help. 

• Drink plenty of fluids to keep mucus loose and keep you well hydrated 
• Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat 
• Take decongestants to help clear your stuffy nose and acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with body aches or mild fever 
• Wash hands frequently to prevent spreading your cold to others
• If you are a smoker try to quit at least during your illness

I’ve been treating my cold myself. When should I come to Health Center?

• If you are not sure if you have a cold or something more serious 
• If your symptoms do not improve after three or four days, are getting worse or last longer than two weeks 
• If your temperature is higher than 101 degrees F 
• If you have a severe sore throat or difficulty swallowing 
• If you are short of breath, wheezing or have a severe cough or chest pain 
• If you have headache, facial or ear pain and pressure 

Why do providers in the Health Center always ask embarrassing questions?
Please understand that there is no desire to pry into your private affairs. There are sound medical reasons why you are asked what sometimes seem like irrelevant, invasive questions. 

First, it is important to know what medications a student is taking. This includes over-the-counter and herbal medicines, vitamins and supplements, and birth control. All prescription birth control methods contain hormones that, like all other medicines, have potential side effects and interactions with other medicines. Certain medicines (antibiotics, for example) may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills and increase the risk of pregnancy.  Some symptoms may indicate possible pregnancy - urinary symptoms, a missed period, nausea or abdominal pain, for example. A person may be unaware that she is pregnant, prompting the provider’s questions about recent sexual activity, birth control method and last period. Some medicines should not be taken during pregnancy. If pregnancy is a possibility, the provider may want to do a test before choosing medication. 

Sometimes a person is having unsafe sex; knowing that gives the provider an opportunity to discuss safer options and help avoid unwanted pregnancy or exposure to sexually transmitted infections. Students may be uncomfortable bringing up sexual issues; sometimes the provider’s questions may initiate a helpful discussion on a difficult topic. For all these reasons and more, it is important to know and good medical practice to ask, even if you “just have a cold.” 


Does the Health Center provide dental care? 
We do not have a dentist on staff. If a student is experiencing dental problems, the Health Center will do an assessment, help you figure out what to do to make yourself more comfortable and refer you to a dentist in the community if necessary.