Student Affairs
Features

Student Affairs
Greek Newswire

Features archive

Student Health 101: University Health Services Orientation for Parents

By Ellen Nagy, Marketing Manager, University Health Services

University Health Services (UHS) at University Park is a key partner in your student's health and well-being while at college. The more you know about the services and specialties available to keep your student going strong, the more you will feel at ease with his/her transition to (or continuation with) college life. The following is a basic overview of UHS services. You can be confident that your student is in good hands this - and every - semester at Penn State!

What does University Health Services offer?
University Health Service specializes in student health. The staff understands the unique needs of college students. They understand that being away from home can be difficult at times and that getting sick and not knowing what to do about it can be overwhelming. Students and parents can be reassured about the quality of care at UHS because they are accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Care, a prestigious national organization.

Services include outpatient clinic visits with physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners for acute, ongoing, and preventive health care. Annual health exams are available to men through the General Medicine Department and to women through the Women's Health Department. UHS urges students to be pro-active about their health - students should start the practice of annual physicals while they are in college. UHS also offers numerous health education and promotion programs about issues of importance to college students.

Important: University Health Services is not a hospital or an infirmary offering 24-hour inpatient care. If students have a life-threatening emergency, they can dial 911 for the University Ambulance Service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Emergency services are available at Mount Nittany Medical Center located two miles from campus. It is a 200-bed accredited hospital with 176 physicians in 42 specialties. All hospital emergency room and inpatient fees are the patient's responsibility.   

What happens if students are sick when UHS is closed?
It certainly seems that one of "Murphy's Laws" is that students will get sick in the middle of the night or on weekends. If students are sick when UHS is closed and they aren't sure what to do, they can call the UHS Advice Nurse at 863-4463 any time of the day or night. The nurse will help them decide if they need urgent care, a clinic appointment the next day, or if self-care will suffice. 
The Telephone Advice Nurse is also available when UHS is open:
General Medical problems: 863-4463
Women's Health problems: 863-2633

Who can get care at UHS?
Eligible individuals include Penn State students who are registered for the current semester and spouses who are covered by one of the Penn State Student Insurance Plans.

Where is care provided?
The main clinic in Ritenour Building is conveniently located in central campus at the corner of Pollock and Shortlidge Roads diagonal from the HUB-Robeson Center. The Women's Health Department also offers a satellite clinic in Shulze Hall in the Pollock Residence complex.

When is care provided?
Main Clinic in Ritenour Building:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays during fall and spring semesters for urgent care only
Shulze Hall, Pollock complex:
Hours vary; by appointment only

Are there fees for clinic services?
Yes.
Although some colleges charge a semester fee for health care, Penn State does not. Instead, the students who come to UHS for medical care pay for their care directly at the time of service.  UHS charges students a discounted rate, which is relatively low compared to private medical services.
Basic student fee on weekdays: $20
Basic student fee on Saturday: $26

There are additional charges for some procedures, lab tests, X-rays, physical therapy treatments, pharmacy, and ambulance services (all conveniently located at the main clinic in Ritenour Building).

[back to top]