Have you ever gotten a marble stuck in your nose? Or eaten some Thai curry that gave you a stomachache that just wouldn’t go away?
Have no fear. The Student Health Center is ready for anything.
“You never know who is coming through the door, and that is what makes the job interesting,” said Anita Masterson, Director of Student Health.
Masterson is the full-time registered nurse in Student Health, replacing the long-time nurse Lucy Barden. Also working in the office are two Physician Assistants (PAs) and a doctor who comes in one to two hours a week to review students’ charts.
Student Health is a free walk-in service. Last semester, 1,357 people came through the door, bearing ailments such as viral strains, sore throats, coughs and injuries.
They also took advantage of the other services that Student Health provides, including treatment and acute injury and illness, gynecology exams, birth control, allergy shots, medical and dental referrals, prescriptions, immunizations, and STD testing.
Though the Student Health Center of today radiates competence. only a few years ago a troubled reputation haunted Student Health under the so-called “Lucy Barden Regime.’
“Let’s give everybody pills. Yay! What a great philosophy,” said senior Natia Rostomashvili.
Students, however, have noticed the office’s improvement.
“It’s gotten a lot better,” junior Margaret Osborne said. “They know when to refer you to a doctor.”
“Everyone is always really nice,” said senior Emily Zeanah.
Even with its improvement, Osborne and Zeanah had suggestions for boosting Student Health.
“When you are given a referral, someone should go with you if the health issue is serious,” said Osborne, who had to drive 15 miles to the doctor’s office with pneumonia.
“The hours are very confusing,” Zeanah said, who could not get in touch with anyone while fighting strep throat.
Student Health is open on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. P’s are in the office on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
If an emergency occurs after hours, students should call the emergency line on campus (x2911), go to the nearby Urgent Medical and Family Care (299 – 0000), or to the Wesley Long or Moses Cone Hospitals.
In the meantime, Masterson advises students to, “take multiple vitamins, get plenty of rest, wash your hands well, and maintain a balanced diet.”