The mission of the Student Health Service (SHS) is to provide high quality medical care to all registered students of SFSU, promoting an optimal state of health and greater health awareness. As part of an institution of higher learning, the SHS contributes to the educational process by increasing students' knowledge of disease prevention and reinforcing their positive health behaviors.
The Student Health Service is built below ground adjacent to the Ethnic Studies and Psychology Building, directly across from Burk Hall (education building) in the northwest corner of the SFSU campus. The SHS staff comprises physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical aides, pharmacists, health educators, health records technicians, optometrists, a nutritionist, x-ray and laboratory technologists, a rehabilitation specialist, as well as administrative and support staff, all of whom are available to assist students in learning and maintaining life-long health practices. The SHS is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)-- acknowledging the health service's high standard of outpatient medical care and services.
Operating Hours. During the academic year, the Student Health Service is open during the following hours (limited services 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.):
Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday |
8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. |
Wednesday |
10:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m. |
The SHS is closed on official university holidays. In the event of a medical emergency on campus, contact the Department of Public Safety at x8-2222. If a student is off-campus, he/she can dial 911. Cellular phone users should be aware that all cellular telephone 911 calls are automatically forwarded to the California Highway Patrol.
Confidentiality. All patient-related information, including medical records, is confidential and will not be released without a student's/patient's express written consent, except as required by law.
Services. All regularly enrolled students at any California State University are entitled to use the SHS for basic health care whether they have health insurance or not. The Spring 2006 SHS fee is $102. Basic services at SHS are included in this fee, while augmented or specialty services carry nominal fees. Please check the SHS web site for fees listing.
Emergencies on Campus --The Department of Public Safety (DPS), extension 8-2222, responds to all on-campus emergency phone calls (for instance, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, bleeding, major trauma, and anaphylaxis). The Student Health Service will respond by sending staff to the emergency site as requested by DPS.
Urgent Care Services -- If you have a medical problem needing immediate medical care for conditions other than those cited above, you may be treated at the Student Health Service, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5 PM.
Primary Medical Services--The Student Health Service provides care for a spectrum of medical and health concerns, ranging from evaluation and treatment of acute illnesses to care for patients with chronic health conditions. The student may call 415-338-1719 to schedule a future appointment or walk in and make a same-day appointment.
Women's Services--Routine gynecologic care, including cancer screening, contraception (emergency contraception and other modalities), evaluation and treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases, and menopausal health care. Also information, education, and counseling related to STDs, pregnancy, and sexual assault.
Immunization Services--Immunizations are available for the prevention and control of common communicable diseases.
Pharmacy--Most medications prescribed by staff providers are at nominal cost. Prescriptions by outside physicians can be filled if the medication is in stock.
Nutrition Services--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 are provided by our staff dietitian.
Preventive Medicine--Health education, lifestyle and health assessment, disease prevention and health promotion programs are provided by health educators.
Men's Health Assessment Clinic --Individualized evaluation and assessment of nutrition, stress, anger management, sexually transmitted diseases, and smoking cessation concerns as well as substance abuse and relationship problems.
Specialty Care Services. In addition to the above primary care
services, the following specialty care services are available (for a nominal fee): optometry,
podiatry, and physical therapy.
Care to Graduated Students. For a maximum of one semester following graduation from SFSU, students may continue to utilize the SHS. They are required to pay $60 per visit plus any augmented fees.
Care to Non-Students. SHS provides one-time first aid treatment to all persons while on campus when open. In addition, the SHS provides initial evaluation for work-related injuries for campus employees.
Health Insurance. Although the SHS may meet the majority of many students' health care needs, we strongly recommend that students obtain health insurance for hospital or other care not available at the SHS. No overnight, weekend, or long-term medical care is provided on campus. Students are referred to local hospitals for most specialist examinations and treatment (MRI, surgery, psychiatry, etc.). The Student Health Service CANNOT assume responsibility for payment of outside medical care including ambulance services. The university does not assume responsibility for payment of outside medical care including ambulance service. All international students (F-1 and J-1 visa holders) and all students living in student housing are required to have health insurance. Students can read about and purchase campus sponsored plans (both domestic and international) via www.csuhealthlink.com.
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.
Student Health Advisory Committee. The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is a student-run organization that meets with staff at the health center to advise and make recommendations on student health services and programs. For more information, contact the SHAC staff adviser at (415) 338-2191.
The San Francisco State University immunization policy requires that all students except those who were enrolled in a California public school for the seventh grade or higher on or after July 1, 1999, shall provide proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps and Rubella, before being allowed to register for classes. In addition, SFSU students who are 18 years or younger will need to show proof of Hepatitis B immunization before registering for their first semester of classes. For more information please check the immunization information at the Student Health Service website: www.sfsu.edu/~shs/immunzation.htm .
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended college freshmen living in dormitories receive a newly-licensed meningococcal vaccine (Menactra vaccine). For more information, click on http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/meningitis/mcv4/mcv4_acip.htm. Every fall semester the health center in association with the SFSU housing office offers a mass immunization day for meningitis on move-in day to freshmen living in the residence hall.
However, staff at the Health Service recommend that you consider vaccination against meningococcal disease and chickenpox (if not previously immunized or had the disease) prior to arriving on campus. Please contact your primary care provider to make the appropriate arrangements.
These are not admission requirements, but are required of students as conditions of enrollment in the CSU.
Proof of immunity should be submitted to the One Stop Student Services Center not the SHS. The form can be downloaded from www.sfsu.edu/~shs/immunizations/required.htm. The completed form should be mailed to the Registrar's Office, SSB 101, SFSU, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132 or faxed to 415-338-0588.
Meningococcal Disease. Also called meningitis, this is a rare but serious bacterial infection of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. If not treated immediately, meningitis may lead to permanent complications such as hearing loss, brain damage, or even death. SHS strongly recommends those living in the residence hall or apartments receive the meningococcal vaccine. Each incoming freshman who will be residing in on-campus housing will be required to return a completed informed consent waiver indicating that he/she has received information about meningococcal disease, the availability of the vaccine to prevent contracting the disease and indicating whether or not the student has chosen to receive the vaccination.
Chickenpox Disease. This condition tends to be common and is a highly contagious disease of childhood that may affect adults. In children, chickenpox is a mild disease, but in adults, it is more serious. If a student has not had chickenpox or has not previously been immunized, SHS strongly recommends that the student obtain a vaccination against chickenpox.