SMSU health center now sophisticated medical facility

For students, faculty and staff of Southwest Missouri State University in need of health care, the Taylor Health Center provides a wide spectrum of services.

Before 1923, a part-time physician and biology instructor administered health care at SMSU. In 1925, the health office became a small clinic in the campus's Carrington Hall. By 1971, that small clinic had added laboratory, X-ray, and pharmacy services, albeit with a staff of only one physician and one nurse.

Today's Taylor Health Center remodeled in 1997 to add the wellness center, conference room, and administrative office space incorporates physicians, nurses, laboratory and X-ray technologists, wellness specialists and a pharmacy.

Physician services

Each of the facility's five full-time physicians holds board certification in family practice, with one specialist in internal medicine and one nurse practitioner. Part-time doctors provide other essential services, including general surgery, psychiatry, orthoscopy, and radiology.

Nine full-time nurses staff the center, five RNs and four LPNs. All physicians have three exam rooms apiece for seeing patients.

The facility has no plans to expand. said Sherry Adams, assistant to the university's director of health and wellness, "We've looked at dental plans several times, but there's nothing else in the works."

Wish list

Adams oversees student insurance, the reception area, and payroll for students and both full-time and part-time employees. She added, "If we had a wish list, there'd be a wellness institute. Because the university is self-funded in the insurance area, we're always seeking ways to lower costs. That's why we're doing cholesterol counts, outreach and blood pressure checks; they're silent killers. People don't know until they have a major problem."

She added that in the meantime, "That's why we educate students: to help them make good choices now so they don't have health problems down the road. Our focus is to provide health care to the university campus at the most economical cost we can."

Funding

The center receives funding two ways. Income may come from the pharmacy, lab or X-ray services, and paid or extended office visits (longer than 15 minutes). Patients may pay for treatment and services with cash, check or credit card, and they may defer payment to the financial services department for 30 days. A student health fee of $36 per semester also contributes to the budget.

According to Adams, the Taylor Health Center sees around 30 patients per physician daily, for an annual total near 12,550. "We see a lot of allergies in spring and strep throat in the wintertime. Those are probably the top two ailments we treat. The flu runs its course, but not every year." The center also sponsors a campus-wide influenza shot campaign, offering inoculation to on- and off-campus students, faculty and staff.

To further immunize students, the center offers shots for tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and MNM (measles, mumps, and rubella). It does not provide testing for allergies, but Adams pointed out, "What we can do to help is ask students to talk with their doctors, who may provide serum and instructions for administering it." Similarly, the pharmacy accepts transfer prescriptions from other pharmacists or doctors, a procedure patients must arrange themselves.

Insurance coverage

Those seeking insurance coverage will find a program at Taylor underwritten by a national insurance company catering to student health insurance. The center files all claims on behalf of students. "Providers put in their bids, having met our criteria before we receive and review them," Adams said. "The director and I fly to each facility for an interview, and we look for a good program for students. An information package is given to every preregistered student, and international students must have coverage along with ... visa status.

Taylor receives professional accreditation from Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc., based in Wilmette, Ill. According to Adams, AAAHC cooperates well with the facility, working within guidelines to meet its specific needs and goals. Similarly, all physicians at Taylor share membership in the Greene County Medical Society. "They have good relationships with area hospitals, so we can get our patients taken care of if they require special treatment," Adams said.

Occasionally the center sponsors nursing internships, but Adams noted, "They must be sought by applicants rather than us advertising for positions." Taylor does hire student workers for lab tech or pharmacy positions. "We offer a lot of opportunity and good experience for students. From (SMSU President John Keiser) on down, they come to see us."

Wellness

For students concerned with other aspects of health, the wellness office generates a multitude of options for education and outreach. As wellness coordinator, Terri Oehm develops, provides, and assists with wellness and health education programming for SMSU.

"It's a mind-body-spirit approach to a person's growth physical exercise and nutrition; emotional and social health, such as relationships and support from friends, family, and community; intellectual, academic pursuits and learning for its own sake," she said.

She added, "Wellness is also environmental, like home space and Feng Shui, conservation or recycling; spiritual, whether church or help connecting with that sense; or vocational and occupational. " Oehm also works as advisor to the Natural High Club, a substance-free student organization. Regular activities range from paintball to rockclimbing and canoeing, and the group has recently visited the Grand Canyon and Grand Escalante Staircase National Parks.

Health classes

Students, faculty, or staff interested in noncredit classes through the wellness center may find such offerings as CPR and First Aid.

Oehm added, "We also offer NIA Neuromuscular Integrative Action classes: Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, and bellydancing. We try to have low costs so students may participate."

Ohem also works with eight students, peer educators, to educate the campus community about alcohol and drug use, stress and time management, safe sex, STD's and contraception, and healthy eating habits.

The wellness center receives support from academic departments, Greek organizations, and resident assistants in formulating and putting its programs into action.

Planning

Oehm said, "Cooperative programming allows combinations of staff and dollars. Our current projects revolve around planning next year."

An assistant coordinator joins the staff this July, and will help update and rewrite upcoming projects.

During the spring semester, the Office of Campus Recreation joined with the wellness center to sponsor a mass CPR training, open to the public for $5. They also presented a booth at the campus May Day festival, an event that combines food, music, and as Oehm said, "Stress release. We went with peer education about tattoos and piercing, and had non-toxic body-painting."

Oehm commented on the support received from students, and said, "They come up and thank us for programs like the American Cancer Society, and traditional students appreciate the importance too.

"What I like best is the environment and people. It's fun to see them get excited and make connections. It's not the same thing every day."