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elcome to Student Health Service. Or goal is to promote the health and well-being of all UT Southwestern students and registered postdoctoral trainees. Student Health Service is staffed full-time by a provider and medical support staff. Anne Brancaccio, M.D., assistant professor of Internal Medicine, is the medical director. |
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Student Mental Health Service (214-645-8680) operates within the Student Health Clinic to provide psychiatric services to all UT Southwestern students and registered postdoctoral trainees. This service is staffed by psychiatrists.
All visits to Student Health and Student Mental Health are confidential.
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Student Health Services: 214-645-8690
Mental Health Services: 214-645-8680 |
James W. Aston Center
8th Floor
South Campus
5303 Harry Hines Blvd.
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| Office visits are by appointment only. |
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The following students have full access to our services:
- Current medical, allied health, and graduate students
- Visiting medical students
- Registered postdoctoral trainees
The following groups of people are not eligible for our services:
- Students on leave of absence
- Medical residents
- Spouses and children of students or trainees
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| APPOINTMENTS |
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Office visits in Student Health are available by appointment only.
To schedule, call (214) 645-8690 or go to the Student Health clinic located on the 8th floor of the James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center (U8.409).
Our office hours are 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.
You will need to have your insurance information available to schedule an appointment.
If you need a same day appointment, please call our office as soon as possible so we can accommodate you.
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| EMERGENCIES |
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Medical emergencies are NOT managed in Student Health. Types of emergencies or health care issues that should be evaluated and managed in an emergency medical facility include:
- Severe pain
- Deep cuts or lacerations
- Suspected broken bones
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency medical facility. Parkland Memorial Hospital and St. Paul University Hospital have emergency medical facilities on our campus. If you choose to receive emergent care on campus, we suggest going to St. Paul for a significantly shorter wait time. You are also free to go to an emergency medical facility near your home.
If you are not sure if you need to go an emergency medical facility, call our office (214-645-8690) and we will help you make this decision.
If you have an after-hours need, you can call the number above and the answering service will have the on-call physician contact you.
For mental health emergencies, call the main Student Mental Health number (214-645-8680) and follow the voice prompts to reach the Student Mental Health answering service. An on-call psychiatrist will return your call.
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| FERPA |
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All office visits in Student Health are confidential and protected by the Family Educational Record and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Only Student Health providers and staff have access to your office visit notes. No other access is granted without your written permission.
If you choose to receive laboratory or radiology services on campus or if you see a provider on campus outside of Student Health, the information will be protected by HIPAA and stored in the same manner as regular patients.
CLICK HERE FOR FERPA PRIVACY INFORMATION
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UT Southwestern Medical Center provides medical care and counseling to students who have had exposure to blood and/or body fluids or active tuberculosis.
Exposures to blood or body fluid are managed by the Occupational Health Department of UT Southwestern Medical Center. Tuberculosis exposures are managed by Student Health.
You should follow these general instructions in the event an exposure occurs:
- Needlestick/Sharps Injury or Skin Exposure
Immediately rinse the exposed body area thoroughly with soap and water.
- Mucous membrane/Eye Exposure
Immediately flush eyes, mouth or nose with copious amounts of water as soon as possible following exposure.
- Reporting Procedure for On-Campus Exposures
- Inform your supervisor (resident, attending, charge nurse). Call the 24-hour OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSE BEEPER (214-588-6263). The Occupational Health nurse will return the page and obtain specifics regarding the exposure.
- Depending on the nature of the exposure, you will be advised regarding further evaluation. Occupational Health will draw appropriate labs, initiate treatment and prophylaxis, and plan follow-up.
- If exposure occurs at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VANTHS) or another center, abide by that medical center’s exposure policy (you may want to use our policy as a reference). Report incident to Southwestern Exposure Control Program (214-645-5300) for follow-up care.
- Cost of initial testing and any indicated prophylaxis treatment not covered by insurance will be paid by UT Southwestern.
POST-EXPOSURE ACTIVE TUBERCULOSIS
Students who have had an exposure to a patient with an active tuberculosis infection should follow these guidelines:
- Students identified as coming in contact with an infected patient should have a baseline PPD placed within 10 days of the exposure. If the student has had a negative PPD test within 1-2 months prior to the exposure, this will serve as the baseline test.
- After the baseline PPD, a repeat PPD will be placed within 6-8 weeks of the exposure. Those who completed the Tuberculosis Health Questionnaire due to past PPD-positive tests will repeat the questionnaire in 10-12 weeks to evaluate any change in health status.
- Students who have tested PPD-positive in the past should complete the Tuberculosis Health Questionnaire available in Student Health. The questionnaire should be returned to Student Health Services.
- The student should report the development of any symptoms of TB (fever, persistent cough, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats) to Student Health Services at 214-645-8690.
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Insurance at a Glance
United Health Care
Information on Student Health Insurance
All students are required to have health insurance.
Office visits in Student Health are free. Any labs (including pap smears) and diagnostic tests ordered in Student Health are billed to your insurance company. All office visits outside of Student Health are billed to your insurance company as well. You are responsible for charges that are not covered by your insurance.
Graduate Students and Registered Postdoctoral Trainees
Graduate students who have a stipend and postdoctoral trainees are offered either the UT Select BlueCross BlueShield PPO plan or the HMO Blue Texas plan. If you plan to receive care in Student Health or at UT Southwestern, we recommend selecting the UT Select plan. HMO Blue is not accepted by any providers on campus.
If a graduate student does not have a stipend, s/he must get insurance elsewhere — either through United Health Care (click on "college students") or a private insurance company of their liking.
Medical and Allied Health Students
The State of Texas has contracted with United Health Care to provide an affordable insurance option for Texas students. However, students may choose any private insurance company of their liking. For full details on United Health Care coverage go to the above links.
All students are required to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN health insurance coverage while enrolled at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Students need to be knowledgeable of the specific coverage of their own individual plans. Insurance plans vary and not all services are covered.
For insurance enrollment questions:
email: Wes Norred, Vice President
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| SERVICES PROVIDED |
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- Evaluation and treatment of primary care medical problems
- Examples include acne, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, urinary tract infections, constipation.
If we feel that your needs would be better met by a specialist, we will refer you to the appropriate physician/service.
- Mental Health 214-645-8680
- Student Mental Health Service is located within the Student Health clinic and is staffed by psychiatrists. All office visits are confidential. Psychiatrists' notes are kept in a separate chart located within the Student Mental Health office. The Student Mental Health staff and psychiatrists are the only people who have access to this information. If you have further questions, call 214-645-8680.
- Yearly Physicals
- Women's Health Care
- Annual exams, pap smears, birth control needs
We do not offer obstetric care in Student Health. If you are pregnant we will refer you to an on-campus ob/gyn physician. Our office can provide you with a list of recommended providers.
- Referrals
- If you feel you need to see a specialist, call our office first. Usually your needs can be managed in our clinic. If you do need to see a specialist, we can arrange the initial visit for you.
- Immunizations
- Offered for current students and registered postdoctoral trainees only. Immunizations and skin tests required for pre-matriculation are not provided.
- Tuberculin skin tests (PPD), tetanus shots, and flu shots are available at no charge to students and registered postdoctoral trainees.
- Other vaccinations such as Hepatitis A and B, Varicella, MMR, and travel immunizations can also be administered in Student Health.
- When you call to make an appointment for these immunizations, we will order the vaccine serum to be delivered to the Aston Campus pharmacy for you to purchase. You then bring the serum with you to your Student Health office visit for administration.
- Prescriptions/Refills
- Lab Tests
- Labs can be ordered through Student Health. They are drawn in the Aston Pathology Lab. Charges will apply.
- Radiology Tests
- Radiology tests (X-rays, mammograms, CT scans, MRIs) can be ordered through Student Health. Charges will apply.
- After-Hours Care
- If you have a medically urgent need after hours or on the weekend, you can call Student Health (214) 645-8690 and the answering service will page the on-call physician to return your call and assess your need.
- Services NOT Provided in Student Health
- Medical Emergencies
- Obstetric Care
- Allergy Shots
- Hearing Tests
- Formal Vision Tests
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