Patient Guide
For Parents: Preventing Cracks in the Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
New to Kentucky or even America? Coping with Change: Tips for Success
Other Services Provided Locally
Frequently Asked Questions
New to Kentucky or even America? Coping with Change: Tips for Success
Other Services Provided Locally
Student Success at EKU
Besides myself, a Family Physician, we have two Family Nurse Practitioners, one Registered Nurse, four Certified Medical Assistants, one Clinical Operations Manager, and one Administrative Assistant on our staff, providing medical, mental health, and preventive care to our students.
At SHS, we have three primary goals: First, to address any acute medical condition that threatens health, interferes with function, reduces performance, and serves as an obstacle to learning and personal growth. Second, to educate our student body on Healthy lifestyle choices that promote wellness and reduce the chances of disease. - the Preventive approach. Third, to serve as a source of information and access to community based assistance programs.
At SHS, we can handle over 90% of the problems that students bring to us, and these services are free to students. We see every thing from headaches, sore throats, and bronchitis to urinary tract infections, skin rashes, and stomach upsets. We treat injuries, strains, sprains, and minor burns. We do basic labs in our own clinic, and administer some medications, including breathing treatments, as needed. For any thing we cannot handle, we may have to refer the student to an outside lab, diagnostic center, or to a specialist. We generally use Pattie A Clay Hospital for sophisticated labs, X-rays and other imaging studies. Charges for these services, as well as Emergency Room visits when SHS is closed, are billed directly by the provider to the student, his parent, or the insurance company. Therefore, it is very important to have adequate health insurance.
The University has decided not to choose a single health insurance plan for all its students; leaving the choice to students and their parents, our website offers information and web based resources to facilitate the decision making process.
Although we are able to handle the majority of acute medical problems, and can address some exacerbation of chronic conditions, we recommend establishing a local physician in the Richmond or Lexington area for chronic conditions that require close and regular follow-up with special tests, medication adjustments, and blood work. Also, these physicians, or their partners, will be available to you after hours, on weekends, and during holidays, when SHS is closed. Examples of such chronic conditions include High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Asthma, Seizure disorders, etc.
Also, for those with chronic or unusual medical conditions and complex medical histories, it is very helpful to the SHS doctors to get a copy of your medical record from your current physician by the time of your first visit at SHS. Please call SHS at 859-622-1761 to find out how to transfer records.
Treatment of Minors: Those who are below the legal age of 18 years cannot be seen or treated without parental / legal guardian consent. Therefore, parents, if your student is expected not to have reached his 18th birthday by the time he arrives on campus, please pick up an "Authorization - Consent to Treat a Minor" form, complete it, and send it with your student at or before his first SHS visit.
Eligibility for services: EKU Students are eligible for services only as long as they remain a student at EKU. If a student withdraws, is dismissed, or graduates, he/she is no longer eligible for services. Therefore, if you anticipate any of these events, please make arrangements for continued care elsewhere, and we will forward any medical records you wish to your new health care provider. Evidence of Eligibility: All students pay a Health fee (included in the Activity fee), and therefore, are entitled to services at the Student Health Center without additional charge. We cannot provide services to those who are not students of EKU. Therefore, student status must be verified, and presentation of a valid student ID card at the time of each visit is required. Students, Always carry your current, valid ID card with you, and be prepared to show it at each visit.
For Prevention of Illness and Promotion of Health and Well being, I have prepared a list of suggestions titled "Tips for Success". It includes such common sense, but often neglected, items as:
Above All Have Fun,
Do Good Work,
And Be Successful At Whatever You Set Your Mind To
At SHS, we have three primary goals: First, to address any acute medical condition that threatens health, interferes with function, reduces performance, and serves as an obstacle to learning and personal growth. Second, to educate our student body on Healthy lifestyle choices that promote wellness and reduce the chances of disease. - the Preventive approach. Third, to serve as a source of information and access to community based assistance programs.
At SHS, we can handle over 90% of the problems that students bring to us, and these services are free to students. We see every thing from headaches, sore throats, and bronchitis to urinary tract infections, skin rashes, and stomach upsets. We treat injuries, strains, sprains, and minor burns. We do basic labs in our own clinic, and administer some medications, including breathing treatments, as needed. For any thing we cannot handle, we may have to refer the student to an outside lab, diagnostic center, or to a specialist. We generally use Pattie A Clay Hospital for sophisticated labs, X-rays and other imaging studies. Charges for these services, as well as Emergency Room visits when SHS is closed, are billed directly by the provider to the student, his parent, or the insurance company. Therefore, it is very important to have adequate health insurance.
The University has decided not to choose a single health insurance plan for all its students; leaving the choice to students and their parents, our website offers information and web based resources to facilitate the decision making process.
Although we are able to handle the majority of acute medical problems, and can address some exacerbation of chronic conditions, we recommend establishing a local physician in the Richmond or Lexington area for chronic conditions that require close and regular follow-up with special tests, medication adjustments, and blood work. Also, these physicians, or their partners, will be available to you after hours, on weekends, and during holidays, when SHS is closed. Examples of such chronic conditions include High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Asthma, Seizure disorders, etc.
Also, for those with chronic or unusual medical conditions and complex medical histories, it is very helpful to the SHS doctors to get a copy of your medical record from your current physician by the time of your first visit at SHS. Please call SHS at 859-622-1761 to find out how to transfer records.
Treatment of Minors: Those who are below the legal age of 18 years cannot be seen or treated without parental / legal guardian consent. Therefore, parents, if your student is expected not to have reached his 18th birthday by the time he arrives on campus, please pick up an "Authorization - Consent to Treat a Minor" form, complete it, and send it with your student at or before his first SHS visit.
Eligibility for services: EKU Students are eligible for services only as long as they remain a student at EKU. If a student withdraws, is dismissed, or graduates, he/she is no longer eligible for services. Therefore, if you anticipate any of these events, please make arrangements for continued care elsewhere, and we will forward any medical records you wish to your new health care provider. Evidence of Eligibility: All students pay a Health fee (included in the Activity fee), and therefore, are entitled to services at the Student Health Center without additional charge. We cannot provide services to those who are not students of EKU. Therefore, student status must be verified, and presentation of a valid student ID card at the time of each visit is required. Students, Always carry your current, valid ID card with you, and be prepared to show it at each visit.
For Prevention of Illness and Promotion of Health and Well being, I have prepared a list of suggestions titled "Tips for Success". It includes such common sense, but often neglected, items as:
- Adequate Rest - Sleep 8 hours a day.
- Regular Exercise - Aerobic type - an hour and a half every day or at least every other day.
- Adequate Nutrition - a varied, inclusive, and balanced diet - low in fat and Sodium, and rich in fiber and vitamins. Avoid refined sugars.
- Folic Acid Supplements 400 mcg/day
- Importance of Breakfast - often skipped by students. Cereal and milk, plus fruit makes a quick breakfast. Gives the brain fuel to work with in the early am hours following a night long fast.
- Dressing for Weather - check the forecast and dress accordingly. Stay warm and dry in cold weather. Dress in layers, and in waterproof shoes.
- Do not share personal items.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
- Keep on Schedule with daily workload - do not fall behind.
- Develop a network of friends you can trust, stick together, exercise prudent caution on and off campus, and stay out of "trouble".
Above All Have Fun,
Do Good Work,
And Be Successful At Whatever You Set Your Mind To
