Health Services Home

General Information

~Mission Statement
~Confidentiality
~Referrals
~Medical Excuses
~Student Involvement
~Location

HOURS
     ~Clinic Hours
     ~Physician Hours
     ~Health Line
     ~After Hours
     ~Family Planning

~Eligibility
~What to Expect When
  Visiting Health Services
~Insurance
~Family Planning
~Health Services Staff

 

The intent of this page is to inform the user about the operations of Health Services. The table of contents can be found in the column to the right under General Information.

 

 

 

Mission Statement:

The mission of Health Services is to maintain, improve and promote optimal wellness of the students so that they may achieve their academic and personal goals. The staff is committed to enhancing the educational process by:

• Removing or modifying health-related barriers to learning
• Promoting optimal wellness
• Educating individuals to make informed decisions about health-related concerns and to be informed health-care consumers
• Educate students to take charge of their own health.

Health Education

Health Clips

Campus Calendar

American College Health Association

Confidentiality:

Medical records are strictly confidential. No medical information is released without the student's written consent except as required by law. Records will not be faxed, except for unusual circumstances, due to the potential for breaches in confidentiality.

Our office is fully committed to compliance with the HIPAA guidlines by:

1. Providing appropriate security for our patient records.
2. Protecting the privacy of our patient's information. No information is released without the patient's written permission, UNLESS required by law.
3. Providing our patients with proper access to their records.
4. Appropriately maintaining our patient information and billing processes in compliance with national HIPAA standards.

If you ever have any questions or concerns about your services or charges, we encourage you to call and ask for our Compliance Officer.

Referrals:

For those students who have long term or chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, depression, allergies (needing allergy injections), etc. you will need to maintain contact with your private health care provider for follow-up care and treatment. Or, You may choose to establish yourself with a local physician while you are at Murray State for the continuing care of long term conditions.

If you should develop such a condition, while at Murray State University, you will be referred to your private health care provider or to a local health care provider of your choice, for futher evaluation, assessment, and treatment of the condition.

However, most of the health care needs that you may require while on campus can be met at the Health Services.

For a complete listing of physicians, physicians who administer allergy injections, and dentists in the Murray area, you may click on any of the fields to get a .pdf document to print. You may also want to have this information for insurance purposes.

Medical Excuses:

Students are responsible for notifying professors or physical education instructors of absences caused by illness or injury.

Medical excuses are not routinely issued by the Health Service for missed classes or examinations. Exceptions may be for extended illnesses or injuries that necessitate hospitalization or medical withdrawal.

Student Involvement:

Students are encouraged to discuss their questions and suggestions regarding health care at Murray State with members of the Health Service Staff. Your participation and involvement are important in helping us meet the health needs of students. In an effort to solicit student feedback, we conduct an bi-annual survey.

Location:

Health Services is located in the North wing of Wells Hall on the ground floor. Our main entrance faces the quadrangle and is the door closest to Faculty Hall.

Hours of Operations:

Clinic Hours:

Fall & Spring Semesters:
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. AND
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12:45 - 4:00 p.m. when classes are in session.
The clinic nurses are available for appointments, emergencies and phone calls on Wednesday afternoons.

Summer Sessions:
Monday - Friday 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. when classes are in session.
The clinic nurses are available for emergencies and phone calls Monday - Friday afternoons.

Physician Hours:

Monday and Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. by appointment during the fall and spring semesters.
Call for summer hours.

Health Line Hours:

Our phone line 270-809-3809 for information and advice is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - Noon and 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

After Hours:

Should a student have an emergency during the times that the Health Services Clinic or the Health Line are not open he/she may call Public Safety at 270-809-2222. The Public Safety officer will contact a nurse on call who will then get in touch with the student. The student also has the option of going to Murray/Calloway County Hospital Emergency Room (at his/her own expense) that has physician services on a 24-hour basis.

Family Planning Hours:

Monday - Wednesday 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. AND
Monday - Tuesday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. to see the FP Nurse for refills, education and scheduling of appointments.

Physical exams and paperwork are by appointment only. (for more information: Family Planning)

Eligibility:

Any student enrolled in Murray State University who has paid tuitiion and mandatory fees is eligible for services. All services with other health care providers or agencies off campus are at the student's own expense.

Faculty and Staff may use the Health Service for blood pressure screening and work-related injuries. They may call Health Line for wellness information or for referrals.

What to Expect When Visiting Health Services:

Health Services requests that enrolling students complete a Health and Immunization History to be included in the student's chart. When a student arrives at Health Services for the first time he/she will be asked to complete the front of the chart that includes basic demographic information.Students are seen on a drop-in basis (see Hours of Operation) for primary health care in an outpatient setting. The students will be screened and assessed by professional nurses; they may receive treatment by the nurse based on orders from the physician or referred directly to the physician, depending on the nature of the visit. The physician is on campus six hours per week, but is available to the nurses by phone when not on campus. The student may be referred to the physician's private office if necessary.Should a student receive a prescription while at Health Services, he/she may get that prescription filled at a local pharmacy (there is no pharmacy on campus). When a specialist's care is indicated, the nurse will assist with the referral

Services available to the Murray State Student are:

• Health Education
• Physical assessment for illness or injury
• Treatment of illness and minor injury
• First aid - Crutches are available on a loan basis
• Referrals as needed
• Laboratory services - We have a CLIA-certified lab for moderately complex procedures including complete blood counts, urinalysis, rapid strep screens, urine colony counts, pregnancy tests and sexually transmitted infection testing.
• Evaluation of health risks
• Health Promotion

All health care received at Health Services on campus is covered under the mandatory activity fees that students pay.

Health Services does not have an immunization program on campus. Students who need immunizations are referred to the Calloway County Health Department for those immunizations that are considered standard by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The cost is minimal.

For the meningococcal vaccine, students are encouraged to talk with their primary care physician to discuss the pros and cons of receiving this vaccine. (See Health Clips - meningitis information) Should a student wish to receive the meningococcal vaccine in Murray, they may call the Calloway County Health Department at 270-753-3381 and schedule an appointment to receive immunization. There is a charge for the meningitis vaccine. Other Health Departments in Kentucky and other states may also offer this immunization.

 

Insurance:

Students are strongly encouraged to have a health insurance plan. It is also recommended that the insurance plan is carefully evaluated to determine whether it can be used in the local area (i.e. - is it a PPO or HMO plan that will not cover local physicians and hospital? Would it require that the student return home for care that cannot be provided at Health Services?)

If you do not have health insurance, or if you need additional coverage while a student, you might consider purchasing a basic policy that the university offers through a private agency. Currently, the plan is underwritten by The Mega Life and Health Insurance Company - Student Insurance Division. The rates may vary from year to year.

The insurance company mails brochures to all students prior to the fall semester. Brochures are also available at Health Services throughout the year.

*For brochures, enrollment cards, coverage receipts, ID cards, claims status and other services, you may visit the Student Insurance site at http://www.uhcsr.com (these items are printable using Adobe Acrobat),

Family Planning:

The Family Planning program at MSU is not included in the student activity fee. Fees are based on income. It is provided as a service to the MSU students through the Purchase District Health Department - Family Planning (PDHD).

Under the PDHD guidelines, students who wish this service may receive annual physical exams, pap smears and sexually transmitted infection testing. They also receive education on self-breast exam, nutrition, wellness, minimizing health risks and contraceptive methods.

These services are by appointment. (See Family Planning Hours)

The Health Services Staff:

Roberta Garfield, RN, BSN, MSN, BCANP - Director
Kim Paschall, RN, BC, BSN - Associate Director
Clark Harris, MD, BC Internal Medicine - Clinic Physician
Pat Hosford, BS, Business Manager
Andrea Leonard, BS, MT, CLS - Lab Supervisor
Lori Ballard, RN, BSN - Staff Nurse
Judy Lyle, RN, BC, BSN - Health Educator & Staff Nurse
Michelle Smart, RN, BSN, MSN, CFNP
Donna Stroup, RN, BSN - Family Planning Nurse
(employed by Purchase Health Department)