Comprehensive Guide to University of Florida Student Health Care Center

The University of Florida (UF) Student Health Care Center (SHCC) has been dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of UF students since 1906. From its humble beginnings with a single university physician, the SHCC has evolved into a comprehensive outpatient clinic offering a wide range of services. Accredited by the AAAHC, the SHCC ensures that students receive high-quality care that meets nationally-recognized standards.

Historical Overview

The SHCC's history dates back to 1906 when UF President Andrew Sledd hired Dr. Edward Rawson Flint as a professor of chemistry. A condition of his employment was that he also serve as university physician for a stipend of $200 a year. Dr. Flint saw his first student on the Gainesville campus on October 16, 1906. Until 1911, Dr. Flint attended to patients in his office or at their bedsides in Buckman Hall.

In 1931, the first section of today’s Infirmary Building opened as part of the new Student Health Services division. Initially, it offered inpatient services, including surgery, to a population of 3,000 students. Over the years, the SHCC has transitioned into an outpatient clinic, with structural changes made to accommodate the growing student population. The third-floor attic in the south wing was converted into a mental health unit during the 1970s. The west wing, housing the pharmacy and clinical offices, was added in 1975. In February 1994, a complete renovation of the Infirmary Building was completed at a cost of $4.6 million. Yon Hall space was added in 1997. In 2010, Student Mental Health Services moved to a consolidated facility, the Counseling and Wellness Center, providing counseling, mental health, and psychiatry services under one roof. GatorWell Health Promotion Services also moved to this facility the same year.

Location and Transportation

The SHCC main building is located at 2140 Stadium Rd. Parking for patients is limited in the marked parking lot west of the building, closest to the O’Connell Center. If you drive to your appointment, take a picture of your license plate before entering the building. The SHCC will enter your license plate information into their system and provide a virtual parking permit, valid for approximately 90 minutes. Note that the unmarked parking spaces are not for SHCC patient parking.

For those using public transportation, RTS bus routes 28 and 34 will bring you closest to the SHCC main building.

Services Offered

The UF Student Health Care Center offers a wide array of services to cater to the diverse healthcare needs of students. These include:

Medical Care: The SHCC provides both in-person and virtual visits for various medical concerns.
Mental Health Services: Mental health services are available at the Counseling and Wellness Center.
Pharmacy: The SHCC houses a pharmacy for students to conveniently fill their prescriptions.
Lab Tests and X-rays: The SHCC offers on-site lab tests and X-rays.
After-Hours Phone Consultation: The SHCC provides after-hours phone consultation services for students experiencing urgent, non-emergency medical concerns outside of business hours.

Insurance and Fees

The UF health fee, a per-credit-hour service fee included with tuition, covers most office visits at the Student Health Care Center. However, this fee does not cover all possible service charges, including but not limited to physicals, procedures, lab tests, X-rays, medications, and medical equipment. It is recommended to review all insurance benefits and exclusions before your first visit. The SHCC will bill your insurance company if you provide all policy information.

Making Appointments

When you schedule an appointment with the UF Student Healthcare Center, the staff sets aside enough time to provide you with the highest quality care. Should you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please contact the office as soon as possible, and no later than the business day prior to your scheduled appointment. If your schedule changes and you cannot keep your appointment with SHCC, please contact them so they may reschedule you and accommodate those patients who are waiting for an appointment. The SHCC understands there may be times when an unforeseen emergency occurs and you may not be able to keep your scheduled appointment.

Accessing Medical Records and Communication

MyUFHealth is your secure patient portal. You, and those you allow, can use the portal to:

View your health information
Read your care team's notes
Schedule appointments with your primary care provider, as well as with some specialty providers
Complete pre-visit questionnaires
Send messages and attachments to your care team
View test results (labs, radiology, etc.)
Choose a pharmacy for your prescriptions

You may see your test results online before your health care provider sees them. Please allow time for your provider to read your results. Your provider will review the results with you and answer your questions. The SHCC appreciates your understanding and patience. They require your physician provider to interpret and explain your results, rather than nurses or other care team members. Any adult patient who has been served at UF Health can sign up for MyUFHealth. When you visit UF Health, you'll receive an activation code. If you do not have an activation code, you can sign up on the MyUFHealth login screen. You’ll be asked to provide some personal information to create the account.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

In your mobile device app store, select the MyChart mobile app from the developer called Epic Systems. UF Health has formed a unique collaboration with Epic to launch a new electronic medical record feature, MyChart Central. You'll get real-time help from MyUFHealth staff, who can see what you're seeing online. If you contact us after hours, they will return your call as soon as possible. All communication sent or received using MyUFHealth is saved as part of your medical record.

Operating Hours

The operating hours for the SHCC are as follows:

Monday & Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday & Friday: 8am - 5pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 9am - 1 pm (Limited appointments available)

Special Programs and Initiatives

The Gareth Kerr Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was created by the Student Health Care Center in memory of University of Florida engineering student Gareth Kerr. Kerr made significant contributions to the SHCC, giving quietly and unselfishly of his time, energy, and vision to ensure that quality health services were accessible to all UF students.
The U Matter, We Care Program: This program helps both students and employees in distress.
The UF Medical Amnesty Policy (MAP): The UF Medical Amnesty Policy (MAP) helps students feel confident they can make the right decision if there is an alcohol or other drug-related emergency without fear of getting in trouble academically.

Emergency Situations

If you suspect or notice any symptoms of measles, do not abruptly visit a health care provider, urgent care, or emergency room without contacting them ahead of time. UF students can contact the Student Health Care Center at 352-392-1161.

The following local emergency rooms are considered in-network for those on the UF insurance plan, currently administered by United HealthCare Student Resources. (Last updated: 02/07/2024). UF and UF Health Needlestick Hotline.

Additional Information

The Infirmary, now known as the Student Health Care Center, is a historic building on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida in the United States. It was designed by Rudolph Weaver in the Collegiate Gothic style and built in 1931. The Infirmary is a contributing property in the University of Florida Campus Historic District. are accredited by the AAAHC, just 220 of those accredited are college health services. ^ McCarthy, Kevin M., and Laurie, Murray D., Guide to the University of Florida and Gainesville, 1977, Sarasota: Pineapple Press, p.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

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