Deborah Houston, campus nurse
Ext. 3282, Old Ropp, lower level
The Health Center is located in the lower level of Old Ropp Hall. The entrance is on the Riley Creek side. Purposes of the Health Center are to provide a variety of health services, and to promote good health on campus. These services are provided in cooperation with area physicians. Health services are coordinated in the student life office.
Guidelines
Each new undergraduate student is required to submit a medical history form to the health service prior to enrollment in classes. This must include documentation of a TB test taken within six months prior to admission, a Tetanus/Diphtheria booster shot within the last 10 years and two MMR shots.
Residential students must sign the Meningococcal/Hepatitus B vaccination status form on page 2 of the medical history form.
All athletes must submit a Bluffton University pre-participation physical exam form prior to participating in athletics each year. This form must be signed by a licensed medical physician (not a chiropractor, nurse practitioner or physicians assistant).
The Health Center is staffed by a registered nurse five days a week (9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 7:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Tuesday and Friday) during the school year. The nurse is available to treat minor illnesses, provide health education and counseling and arrange referrals to local physicians when necessary. There is a charge for TB tests and tetanus-diphtheria booster shots. All other services are free of charge.
A physician will be present to see students in the Health Center two hours a week. This service is free of charge.
The Bluffton Hospital is located minutes away from the university. Twenty-four-hour emergency care is available if needed.
Health insurance
A health insurance plan is available to full-time students. Students will automatically be billed for the health insurance unless a waiver card is signed. On the waiver card, the student must provide the name and number of her/his health policy. The student is responsible for all hospital and doctor’s expenses if the insurance policy has been waived. Questions concerning the health insurance plan should be directed to the business office.
Class attendance in relationship to Health Center
A student is directly responsible to each of the instructors for all required work and class attendance. Excuses for medical reasons are not provided by the Health Center. Class attendance is a matter for direct discussion between the student and the instructor.
Steps to follow in an emergency:
1. Contact the Health Center.
2. If there is no one at this office, call the hall director, who will arrange further care.
3. Keep medical and insurance information available for ready reference.
