About SHCC
Letter from the Director
March 2008
Dear Parents:
I would like to say hello and to welcome your son or daughter to the University of Florida. The purpose of this letter is to highlight some of the services available at the Student Health Care Center. Our mission is to help your child remain healthy while at the University of Florida. When your son or daughter calls you with concerns or symptoms, please remember that we are here to help.
Open Access and Personalized Care
The Student Health Care Center offers excellent medical care in an efficient and timely manner. Within the past few years, we have adopted and “Advanced Access” appointment system. This system offers “same day or next day” appointments for illnesses and injuries to UF students. As a result, waiting times have been decreased substantially and patient satisfaction, both with the new appointment system and the quality of medical care received, has increased. An important aspect of this system is that all UF students are now assigned a primary care medical provider. This not only ensures continuity of medical care but also enhances the quality of that care. In addition, the SHCC offers an Urgent Care walk-in clinic for acute injuries and significant illnesses. A medical provider is “on-call” after hours by telephone should students need medical advice.
Mental Health Services
The transition from living at home to living on one’s own may be filled with challenges. Remember that the staff of the SHCC is here to help with that transition. When illness, injury, or medical problems complicate this process, the resulting stress can be overwhelming. You will be reassured to know that the SHCC offers individual and group counseling as well as psychiatric medical services to all UF students. The ultimate goal of Student Mental Health is to help students avert crises; however, a provider is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if needed for Mental Health Counseling. For a more detailed listing of the SHCC’s psychological services, please visit our website at www.shcc.ufl.edu/smhs
Health Promotion Services
The SHCC offers a wide range of health promotion and wellness services including access to health educators and dietitians. GatorWell student employees travel to many campus locations every day of the week providing health information to UF students. Collectively, the Health Education staff from the SHCC deliver hundreds of group presentations and offer many health and wellness events throughout the year across campus. Check us out on the website at www.shcc.ufl.edu/Gatorwell
Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis B Vaccinations
You may be aware that college students, particularly those living in residence halls, are at an increased risk from contracting Meningococcal meningitis. The Florida legislature has mandated that all students admitted to institutions of higher education be informed about Meningococcal meningitis and Hepatitis B. The University of Florida requires all entering students to either obtain vaccinations for these two diseases, or to sign a waiver declining the vaccines. Immunizations can be purchased at the SHCC, from a family physician, or at a local health department. If you have questions, call 352-392-1161, ext. 4312, or visit http://www.shcc.ufl.edu/medical/immune.shtml
Flu Shots in the Fall
For most young adults, getting the flu is more of an inconvenience than a medical threat (although for some people, medical complications can result from the flu). Because flu season typically begins when academic demands on students are the greatest, we provide influenza vaccinations to registered students to reduce the likelihood that they will fall behind academically. Please consider encouraging your child to take advantage of this service if flu vaccine is available.
Medical Confidentiality
We take medical confidentiality seriously at the Student Health Care Center and, as you may know, we are prevented by law from releasing any medical information to parents of non-minor children without the student's consent. I assure you, however, that in the case of a life or death emergency, we would contact you immediately. All staff is HIPAA compliant and trained annually on federal laws that govern medical records security and patient confidentiality issues. Be assured that your medical records are secure and confidential and cannot be released to others without your express permission. For more information about privacy at UF, visit www.privacy.ufl.edu.
SHCC Hours of Operation
The SHCC is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Sunday from Noon to 4:00 p.m. (hours vary during summer semesters and breaks). A medical and a mental health professional is on call 24 hours per day, seven days a week, for emergencies. New students can schedule appointments beginning the first day of classes by calling 352-392-1161.
I hope this letter has been informative and that your son or daughter takes advantage of our comprehensive health care services. If your child currently has a special medical condition, please encourage him or her make an appointment before problems arise. If you are ever in Gainesville, consider touring our facility. Finally, please do not hesitate to contact me at 352-392-1161, ext. 4220 if I can help you or your child in any way.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Barkley, M.D., Director
Student Health Care Center
University of Florida
