University Times

During finals week your students probably were pulling all-nighters, visiting Starbucks too often and hadn’t encountered any green leafy vegetables in far too long.

A student comes into your class looking fatigued and wan, complaining of a fever and a very sore throat. You look at her and wonder, “Where can I send this sick student?”

Another student confides that he would like to quit smoking but is uncertain how to go about this. You think, “Where could he get some help?”

A student mentions that she is a type 1 diabetic and is having difficulty getting her medications now that she is away from home. You ask yourself, “Which pharmacy could provide her with high-quality care and all of her necessary medications?” Now that you think about it, you say to yourself, “I would like to find this kind of pharmacy to use for my own prescriptions.”

The answer to all of these scenarios is the same: the University of Pittsburgh Student Health Service, located on the 5th floor of the Medical Arts Building across from Children’s Hospital.

For many students, coming to college is their initiation into taking charge of their health care needs. Encourage them to schedule an appointment at the Student Health Service.

The clinic is fully staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and medical assistants. We provide primary care services and women’s health services to all graduate and undergraduate students.

These services are covered by the student health fee that is one of the fees paid by full-time students. Part-time students can opt to pay the health fee and then utilize the clinic services without restriction.

But other services are covered by the health fee as well. The Office of Health Education and Promotion aids students with smoking cessation. A registered dietitian is available to meet individually with students, as is a sexual health educator and a substance abuse prevention specialist.

Though it is called the Student Health Service, it provides support to faculty as well. Staff members will advise faculty who encounter students with health-related issues. In addition, PantherWELL peer health educators (trained undergraduate students) and/or health education staff can provide lectures or programs designed to meet the needs of your course material and student population.

The pharmacy that is part of the Student Health Service provides even more services to Pitt’s faculty, as well as its staff. The pharmacy aims to provide high-quality services while treating each person as an individual. A pharmacist always is available to provide medications and patient education. Our personal service means that questions are not just answered but encouraged.

Pharmacy services are available to all Pitt students, staff and faculty. Those with UPMC insurance can get a 90-day supply of medication for two co-payments. The pharmacy also accepts numerous other insurance plans. In addition, there is a full assortment of over-the-counter medications available at competitive prices.

Pharmacy hours during the summer are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. During the fall and spring terms the hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The phone number for the pharmacy is 412/383-1850.

Elizabeth Wettick is medical director of the Student Health Service.