University Health Service: Bigger, Stronger and Better Looking
Maintaining a healthy student body is essential to UK's strength and success. And every year, thousands of students visit University Health Service (UHS) for appointments at the university's Student Health Clinic. Health services provided include primary care, nursing, women’s care, mental health, health education and a new student Health and Wellness Center.
Students can make an appointment to be seen by a doctor, often the same day, at reduced cost. Many services are covered by the student health fee paid by all full-time students. Part-time students are eligible to use the service by paying the student health fee at the beginning of the semester or regular fee-for-service rates.
Last summer, UHS moved into a beautiful, new $25 million building, financed with student fees. Located at 830 South Limestone, just south of its old location in the Kentucky Clinic, the new building has 43,000 square feet of total programmable interior space.
"Certainly it's a more appealing space physically," said Dr. Greg Moore, director of UHS. "The building has high ceilings and lots of natural light. It's more open and accessible. We aren't stacked up on top of each other as much as we used to be in the old building. And we have adequate bathrooms now, which we didn't before."
Student Government President Tyler Montell, speaking as both a student and a patient, says students will be able to breathe easier in the new facility.
"Before, when you went into the waiting room, it could get kind of crowded in there," he said. "You'd be sitting right next to everybody else, and you'd have no idea what they're being seen for – whether it's the common cold or something more severe. With the new building there's a lot more space, so you don't feel like you have to hold your breath."
Montell says the new facility is also better organized, making it easier for students to check in and check out.
"It's so much more efficient with the space – it was just phenomenal," he said. "It just makes sense: We have a top-notch staff, and now we have a top-notch facility. I think students will really benefit from that well into the future."
Karen Clancy, associate director of UHS, says patient privacy has also been improved. Rather than discussing their health concerns with a nurse in an open cubicle in the waiting area, while their temperature and blood pressure are taken, students are now taken to private exam rooms.
If the early feedback is any indication, students are already giving high grades to the new facility. Clancy says patient satisfaction surveys have been very positive so far. A set of surveys completed Oct. 18 showed unanimous satisfaction with the new process, ease of check-in and check-out, she said.
"The biggest challenge for students seems to be figuring out where we are," Clancy said. "But as more and more students find us, they're increasingly pleased with the service we offer."
University Health Service is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the fall and spring semesters. Students may make an appointment by calling (859) 323-2778.
