STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE

The mission of the SFSU Student Health Service (SHS) is to encourage students to take responsibility for their health and to complement the academic mission of the university by providing unified health care services that are comprehensive, accessible, and help maintain students' well-being.

The Student Health Service is built below ground adjacent to the Psychology Building, directly across from Burk Hall (education building) in the northwest corner of the SFSU campus. The Student Health Service staff includes physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical aides, pharmacists, health educators, health records technicians, optometrists, nutritionist, x-ray and laboratory technologists, rehabilitation specialist, and clerical and administrative staff, who are available to assist students in learning and maintaining life-long healthy practices.

Information, including medical records, is confidential and will not be released without a student's written permission except as required by law. The Student Health Service is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation recognizes the health service's and staff's success in meeting the highest standards of outpatient medical care and services.

Appointment: 338-1719
Information: 338-1251
Website: www.sfsu.edu/~shs

Services. Health care is offered to all enrolled students from any CSU campus that is supported by the Student Health Service fee each semester. These services, which are provided at little or no cost to the students, include:

Emergent and Urgent Care—Provides care for conditions needing immediate physician attention.

Medical Services—Allows patients to see providers by appointment for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of medical and health problems. Services also include the evaluation of possible sexually transmitted diseases, dermatologic and endocrinologic disorders, and care for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic health conditions.

Women's Services—Provides services including routine gynecologic care and concerns, contraception, sexually transmitted disease detection and treatment, morning-after pill treatment, pregnancy detection, and menopausal health care. Information, education, and counseling related to STDs, pregnancy, contraception, and sexual assault are also provided.

Immunization Services—Offers immunization for the prevention and control of common communicable diseases.

Pharmacy—Provides prescriptions and over-the-counter medications at a reasonable cost. Prescriptions from providers outside the Student Health Service may also be filled at the pharmacy, depending on availability and legibility of the prescription.

Nutrition Services—Offers individual appointments and group/classroom presentations on topics such as sports, nutrition, weight management, eating disorders, vegetarian diet, nutrition assessment, and other nutrition-related topics.

Parenting Resource—Serves students, faculty, and staff who are parents or who are interested in parenting.

Preventive Medicine—Provides health promotion, lifestyle and health assessment, patient education, and disease prevention programs. The department also offers a Health Resource Center with books, articles, pamphlets, and multimedia resources on a variety of health issues.

Psychiatric Services—Provides diagnosis of mental health issues and medication management.

Sports and Performing Arts Medicine—Provides diagnosis and treatment of sports- and performing arts-related injuries and overuse syndromes to athletes, dancers, musicians, theater artists, and other performing artists.

Specialty Care Services. In addition to primary care services, the following specialty care services are available (some with a nominal fee): optometry, colposcopy, elective immunizations, wellness clinic, podiatry clinic, allergy and immunology clinic, men's health assessment clinic, and pre-employment and travel physicals.

Operating Hours. During the academic year, the Student Health Service is open during the following hours:

The Student Health Service is closed on official university holidays. In the event of a medical emergency on campus, contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (415) 338-2222. If elsewhere, dial 911.

Care to Graduated Students. Within one year of graduation from SFSU, students may come to the Student Health Service for care by paying $50 per visit plus any additional laboratory or pharmacy charges.

Care to the Spouse and Partner of Students. Health services are available to the spouse and registered partner of SFSU students by paying $50 per visit plus any additional laboratory or pharmacy charges.

Care to Non-Students. Emergency first aid services and referrals to community health facilities are available to all SFSU staff, faculty, and visitors. In addition, the Student Health Service provides initial care for work-related injuries for campus employees.

Health Insurance. Although the Student Health Service may meet the majority of students' health care needs, it is strongly recommended that students have health insurance for major surgery, hospital care, laboratory, and other services since no overnight, weekend, or long-term medical care is provided on campus. The university does not assume responsibility for payment of outside medical care including ambulance services. All international students (F-1 and J-1 visa holders) and all students living in student housing are required to have health insurance. Insurance for these categories of students may be purchased through the Student Health Service business office. For more information on how to select appropriate insurance, either stop by the Student Health Service Resource Center or check the website (http://www.sfsu.edu/~shs/insurance.htm).

Athletic Injuries. The State of California, the university, and the Associated Students do not assume or acknowledge responsibility for injuries to students incurred during participation in athletic training, competition, or other activities. Students voluntarily participating in these activities assume the risks involved. Members of varsity athletic teams have supplemental insurance coverage for injuries received while participating in intercollegiate athletics. The team physician must authorize all treatment and expenses incurred. More information about the types and extent of medical coverage offered are available from the office of the Director of Athletics who administers the program.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT

All new and readmitted students born after January 1, 1957 will be notified of the requirement to present proof of measles and rubella immunizations. This is not an admission requirement, but is required by the beginning of the second term of enrollment in CSU. A registration "hold" will be applied by the university at the end of the first semester to all students who have not met the immunization requirement. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain proof of measles and rubella immunity prior to enrollment at SFSU.

Proof of measles and rubella immunizations is also required for the certain groups of enrolled students who have increased exposure to these diseases. Proof of Hepatitis B immunization is also required of certain students prior to enrollment; these students will be notified of the requirement.

Proof of immunity may be submitted to the Student Health Service. For students unable to obtain acceptable proof of immunity, the Student Health Service can provide the measles and rubella vaccine during scheduled immunization hours for a charge of $12. For more information, call the immunization information line at (415) 338-6000, x9090, or access the website (www.sfsu.edu/~shs/mmr.htm).

Student Health Advisory Committee. The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is a student-run organization that serves to represent student interests at the Student Health Service and to increase students' awareness of health issues. For more information, contact the SHAC staff adviser at (415) 338-1351.