The Student Health Center is one of the best places for American University students to get information regarding their sexual health; yet it is often the most overlooked.

AU’s Student Handbook states that the health center “provides primary medical care, gynecological care, minor emergency treatment, immunizations, allergy injections, and health education services to students.”

While most students are aware of their ability to effectively treat illness, according to Sara Coles, Certified Physician Assistant, far too many are still not aware of the extent of the services offered.

Coles explained that the health center prescribes and sells condoms and oral contraceptive pills, and is also authorized to write prescriptions for any other hormonal contraceptive, including Depo-Provera, Lunelle, Ortho Evra, and Nuvaring.

Plan B, a form of emergency contraception, can be prescribed and sold after the student meets with a health provider. The staff is also able to both test for and treat several well-known sexually transmitted diseases.

“We can do screening tests for HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis,” Coles said. “Other STDs can be diagnosed on the basis of the patient’s history, physical examination and appropriate lab tests.”

For women, PAP smears and annual gynecological appointments can be scheduled. Coles said, however, many gynecological problems may be treated on a walk-in basis. These include urinary and vaginal infections, STD counseling, emergency contraception, birth control refills and counseling about sexual health related issues.

The center offers walk-in hours 8a.m. to 4p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10a.m. to 4p.m. Friday for acute medical and minor emergency problems. These include any general gynecological problems and general sick visits.

Annual women’s health exams are by appointment only. Two physicians, four physician assistants, one nurse practitioner, and one registered nurse, along with a support team, and a health educator staff the health center.

“Every visit to the health center is confidential,” Coles said. “This means that all information pertaining to the visit, as well as the student’s medical record may not be released or discussed with anyone (including parents if the student is over 21) without the student’s consent.”

Larry Payton, health center director, said that the center averages about 13,000 visits each year with a referral rate of approximately four percent. The majority of these students visit with sickness problems, although many women do come for Pap smears, birth control pills and STD testing. He is very proud of the quality of health services that are provided to the AU community and the fact that students can get most of their health needs met immediately right on campus.

“Through the integration of one of the most comprehensive yet affordable plans of student health insurance and a designed network of specialty physicians in the surrounding community, we bring a system of health care to the AU campus,” Payton said.

Payton also reported that satisfaction levels were consistently high in the 92-95-percentile range. These statistics are based on internal surveys filled out by visitors.

Dana Miller, junior, said that she has visited the health center a couple times for minor illnesses. “I have never gone there for any kind of big emergency, but I am always impressed by the extensive services that they offer and the knowledgeable staff. It is the kind of place where I feel comfortable going to confidentially talk about any health questions that I have and the people there have been very helpful.”

The health center encourages students who live on campus and experience any kind of medical emergency to call Public Safety at extension 3636.

For problems that occur after SHC hours, Payton said the center provides 24-hour access to care through AU HELP. Calling the front desk of any residence hall may access this service. This is a support system that utilizes the Suburban On-Call nurse hotline and includes free round-trip transportation to two nearby hospitals for students, staff, and visitors. The hotline may be reached at 301-896-3939.

For appointments, students are asked to call extension 3380. The health center is located on the first floor of Nebraska Hall.

The SHC offers an interactive website for students to email their questions and find out more about the center and some of the health problems they treat. In addition, forms that need to be filled out prior to examination can be found at the website.

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