Health Center

Location:   The lower level of Old Ropp Hall (Entrance on the Riley Creek side)

Health Center

Hours:
1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
No appointment necessary. You will be seen in order of arrival.
Appointments are also available by calling 419-358-3282.

If you need to be seen when the Health Center is closed, please go to the Bluffton Hospital Emergency Room and identify yourself as a Bluffton University student.

Nurse practitioner: 
Cynthia Ulrich, MS, CNP; adult and pediatric specialty

Health Center services are free to students, unless otherwise noted and include:

  • Services have now been expanded to include many primary care services. This means, in general, services offered include the same evaluation and treatment that you would expect at your doctor's office.
  • Diagnose and treat acute health problems such as infections and injuries.
  • Diagnose and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
  • Order, preform, and interpret diagnostic studies such as lab work and x-rays.
  • Prescribe medications and other treatments.
  • Provide physical exams for school related activities.
  • Recognize complicated medical conditions that require a referral.
  • Remove sutures (stitches).
  • Loan of crutches, heating pads, vaporizers, wheelchair.
  • Provide counseling or information concerning health related issues.
  • Collaborate with direct access to Bluffton Hospital Emergency Department physicians.

Guidelines

Each new undergraduate student is required to submit a medical history form to the health center prior to enrollment in classes. This must include documentation of a TB test taken within six month prior to your admission, a Tetanus/Diphtheria booster shot within the last 10 years and two MMR shots.

Residential students must sign the Meningococcal/Hepatitis B vaccination status form on page 2 of the medical history form.

All athletes must submit a Bluffton University pre-participation physical exam form to the athletic office prior to participating in athletics each year. This form must be signed by a licensed medical physician (not a chiropractor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant).

Students requiring immunizations will be directed to their nearest health department to receive their updates.

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 the office, call the hall director, who will arrange further care.
  3. Keep medical and insurance information available for ready reference.

Counseling services

Campus Counselor:
Rae Staton, BA, LSW

Counseling Hours:
By Appointment: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday- Friday

Counseling services are free to students, and appointments may be scheduled by calling the Student Life Office (#3247) or by contacting Rae directly at #3449. Or you may email studentlife@bluffton.edu or statonr@bluffton.edu

If necessary, an evening or weekend appointment can be arranged with Rae.

Available to assist students in coping with issues, problems, and concerns, including:

  • Family problems
  • Dating concerns
  • Grief/loss issues
  • Relationship issues, questions, concerns
  • Emotional problems, including depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, anger, etc.
  • Suicidal thoughts and feelings
  • Eating Disorders
  • Concerns associated with violence, sexual assault or rape
  • Childhood sexual abuse
  • Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual issues or concerns
  • Alcohol/Drug use, abuse or addiction
  • Anything that causes tension, conflict, worry, concern, pre-occupation, etc.

Counseling sessions are strictly confidential and no information is shared with any other person (including faculty, administration, staff, other students, your parents or any other family members) except in situations deemed to be life threatening.

 If you are unsure about whether or not you “need” counseling or if counseling could be helpful to you, please give it a try, if only to evaluate what you need and to plan for how your needs can be satisfactorily met. A phone call is all it takes...the choice is always your own.

Insurance Program

An accident and sickness insurance program with hospital coverage is available at a moderate rate on a voluntary basis. The health insurance excludes dental care and surgery but does include limited special laboratory tests and X-rays. Information on this insurance program is available from business office staff.