A Student Health Services clinic has opened on the University of North Georgia's Gainesville Campus offering a wide array of services to students.
For the $65 per semester student fee, a student can visit the Student Health Services clinic and expect no other out-of-pocket costs for the clinic's routine services throughout the semester. The clinic will handle acute medical issues such as a cold, flu, bronchitis, or asthma attack.
Dr. Alyson Paul, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students on the Gainesville Campus, said the clinic will be convenient as all services are on a walk-in basis that allows students to come before or after classes.
For students who lack health insurance or face other health care obstacles, Paul said this new service can take a weight off their shoulders and allow them to focus on their studies.
"This is going to be such a great service," Paul said. "It makes them more likely stay in school and graduate."
Dr. Richard Oates, vice president of UNG's Gainesville Campus, is excited about the new services.
"Providing comprehensive student health services on our Gainesville Campus is consistent with the university's mission to provide the best educational experience possible for our students," Oates said. "When our students feel better, their academic engagement and performance increases."
Paul said the fee will cover all of the most commonly needed medical services. Previously, students on the Gainesville Campus could pay the student health fee and drive to the Dahlonega Campus for service. Karen Tomlinson, UNG director of Student Health Services, said about 20-30 Gainesville students per semester used that option. Now they have a health care option that is a short walk across campus.
In addition to services such as flu shots and flu tests, the Student Health Services clinic will have a self-care center that provides over-the-counter medicines such as allergy remedies and ibuprofen. Students can take three items per day from the self-care center.
Some antibiotics will also be available if a medical provider sees a student and deems antibiotics necessary.
