Augusta University Student Health Services: A Commitment to Student Well-being
Augusta University's Student Health Services plays a vitally important role in ensuring students are physically and mentally well, enabling them to perform at their optimal level. AU's mission to provide transformative educational experiences extends to student health care, ensuring students receive support that promotes positive outcomes for both their medical and mental health care needs. Recognizing this crucial link between health and academic success, Augusta University has consistently invested in and enhanced its Student Health Services. This article explores the services provided, recent improvements, and the university's ongoing commitment to student well-being.
Relocation to a Modern Facility
Augusta University’s Student Health Services relocated to the Health Sciences Building, suite 1500, on the Health Sciences Campus. The relocation provides a modern clinic space with an updated laboratory in a central location. According to Scott Wallace, PhD, associate vice president and dean of students, “This move aligns with our mission to provide life-changing, life-saving care by offering our students the highest standard of care.”
The team kicked off the spring semester fully operational in the new clinic. The university celebrated its relocation to the Health Sciences Building, suite 1500, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. AU President Russell T. Keen and Shelli Larkin, DNP, director of Student Health Services, shared remarks celebrating the grand opening and the university’s continued commitment to student health, access and research.
A Space Designed with Students in Mind
The new space was designed with student input, focusing on excellent customer service throughout every step of their healthcare encounter. According to Larkin, “This space is for each and every student at Augusta University - a safe and collaborative space focused on improving one’s health in order to achieve success in their personal and professional lives.”
The grand opening provided a time for Student Health to highlight its commitment to its service standards of safety, quality, professionalism and compassion.
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Mural Contest Winners
As part of the grand opening, a mural contest was held to further personalize the space. Standing in front of the first-place mural, AU President Russell T. Keen, First Lady Karen B. Keen, Shelli Larkin, director of Student Health Services, and Amy Smith, acting vice president of Enrollment and Student Affairs, stand alongside the mural contest winners.
Eshika Patel, an undergraduate third-year biomedical systems engineering student, won first place and $500. “That’s where the swirls of inspiration originated from, along with the more structured piece on the top.
Courtney Forlemu, an undergraduate second-year biomedical systems engineering student, won second place and $250. Avni Sawant, a fourth-year student at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, won third place and $125. “My piece is a waiting room with a lot of different, diverse students sitting in the room, with posters of the services that Student Health Services offers,” Sawant said. “As a future family medicine doctor, I drew a lot of inspiration from the idea that family medicine is all inclusive. You get to see all types of patients.
Comprehensive Health Services
All students can visit Student Health Services, now in the Health Sciences Building, for physical and mental health care. The services provided encompass a wide range of needs, ensuring students have access to quality care.
Online Scheduling Platform
Augusta University’s Student Health Services now provides an online scheduling platform where students can easily make preventive care appointments, with acute care appointments recently becoming available April 1. When booking appointments, students can choose from a variety of services. For example, preventive care includes pap exams, physical exams and travel consults. According to Shelli Larkin, DNP, director of Student Health Services, “This platform allows constant access to scheduling, and it is also bringing us up to industry standards.”
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Clinic staff also expect the online platform to decrease call wait times. Robin Atkins, Student Health Services coordinator, noted that the user-friendly platform is easily navigable. This hub will allow students to personally take charge of their health in addition to lessening any anxiety about speaking over the phone. “This platform will get more students in the door.
Telehealth Option
Student Health Services also provides an after-hours telehealth option through HealthiestYou (by Teladoc), which requires no consultation fees for students with an Augusta University Student Health Insurance Plan and a small fee for students who use their private insurance. Telemedicine physicians can diagnose and treat most minor acute illnesses and prescribe medications, if necessary, without you having to leave your home.
Immunization Requirements
Students must meet certain immunization requirements prior to the start of their school semester. Students must provide proof of Meningitis vaccinations prior to move-in day. Students who decline to receive the vaccinations are required to sign an Immunization waiver of liability. Students can complete the online only waiver via DocuSign. A new “online only” waiver is required to be filled out each semester.
To submit immunization records, students need to download and print ALL pages of the Immunization Record form. The form needs to be completed and dated by a Healthcare Provider. Students then need to scan the completed form to their computer and save them to a file. To upload the form, students click on “Upload” on the right side of the menu, select “Immunization Records”, find the file on their computer to be uploaded, and then click on “Upload”. The Immunizations Department typically processes records within 7 business days.
Waivers for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) are considered for thesis/dissertation, internship, rotation, ect. or other medical reasons. Students should complete the applicable waiver via DocuSign.
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Understanding Health Fees and Insurance
Paying the student health fee does not mean you are covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). For students with the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), they can go to United Healthcare Student Resources page to locate an in-network provider. If students choose to seek care from an out-of-network provider, the services received will be billed to the plan. If students choose to see a provider of their choice, that provider of your choice will bill your insurance. Students are responsible for coordinating the charges with their insurance.
It is important to note that Student Health is not an in-network provider. Student Health Services accepts major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. They do not take cash.
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