Changes to Student Health Services offer pros and cons

Big changes have been going on throughout Student Health Services, especially with the physician’s assistant no longer being there.
Students will now have a new way of getting prescriptions, x-rays and much more.
Student Health used to go through a company called Cornerstone Care; now the partnership is with Southwest Regional Care and a local doctor.
The services provided from Cornerstone Care last year were hard to be held this year. Cornerstone Care has four different offices: Greensboro, Washington, Rogersville and Uniontown.
Proximity and availability were a challenge, but with the new changes come some pros and cons.
“We no longer have physician’s assistants that come on campus. We send students over to Dr. Amy Diamond’s office, over in the Instacare center,” said Jennifer Shiring, director of Student Health Services. “We made the decision because Cornerstone Care decided not to recontract with us this year. It was decided for us. It wasn’t because they didn’t like coming here; it wasn’t working out with their office [and] they couldn’t free someone up to come over here.”
Students coming to health services have some more responsibilities now that the switch has happened.
“It’s more to try to help students deal with real life,” said Shiring. “Being able to go to the doctor’s office knowing how their health insurance works, what their copay is, and making an appointment; to try to mirror real life.”
Only two years ago, Instacare was not an option because Southwest Regional built the new facility.
The students going down to Student Health Services typically come with the common cold or a sore throat, among other things.
Some antibiotics may be required, but they will now not be able to be written at Student Health Services.
Everyone may not be happy with these changes, though.
“This year from last year, the only thing that really changed was the ability to call in a prescription,” said Brandon Vantine, sophomore political science and pre-law major. “Other than that, they stayed consistent and are really helpful.”
Students like Vantine are left with responsibilities they may not be used to, and may not agree with the new structure.
“I think it’s a disadvantage; it depends on your copay,” said Vantine. “Some people are lucky and their copay is only $10 to $15. Others could have a $100 copay and really need an antibiotic, but if they can’t afford it then they’re kind of stuck.”
The Loop, the new student transportation system, will take students to and from campus – including the Instacare stop in Greene Plaza – on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Appointments for extra care can be made during the evening times from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Nurses are helping the students identify their sickness or problem they are having within the Student Health Services.
“Jennifer is really nice, caring, and takes the time to figure out what is actually wrong and doesn’t just brush you off,” said Vantine. “I think it’s a great system, I was just surprised they don’t have anyone down there anymore.”
As of this time, Southwest Regional has posted a notice on their website.
“The SRMC Healthcare Group is excited to share that InstaCare will be purchased by MedExpress,” stated Southwest Regional Website. “To make this conversion, InstaCare will close on October 24 at 5 p.m. and MedExpress will reopen on November 12 at 8 a.m. MedExpress will operate from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days a week and will continue offering the same quality care you have come to expect and deserve.”