Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Marcy Hendricks The student health center offers many benefits to students and is located near Yosemite Hall on campus [Click to enlarge]

Sacramento State's Student Health Center aims to help students by providing convenient services at affordable prices.

The Student Health Center offers a pharmacy that provides prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications at a significantly reduced cost. Students can expect to pay nearly $12 for Sudafed at Walgreens and only 78 cents at the Health Center.

The Health Center offers free services to students, including immunizations, HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Sac State students can also receive free birth control through the Sexual Health Program.

Not only does the Health Center provide students with illness and injury treatment, X-rays and physical examinations, but it also has a laboratory that is certified by the federal government to perform advanced medical testing.

Use of the Health Center is paid for as part of student enrollment fees. Sac State's Health Services fee charges students $73 for both fall 2009 and spring 2010. In addition, students pay a separate Health Facilities fee of $3 each semester.

Located off State University Drive and across the street from Yosemite Hall, the Health Center operates on a walk-in basis. Appointments can also be scheduled in advance for things like physical exams, optometry exams, and free, five-minute therapeutic massages.

Lianne Potepalov, senior business management major, said she heard about the Student Health Center from other friends who utilize the pharmacy. Potepalov said she gets her prescriptions at the Student Health Center's pharmacy because it is much more affordable than her current insurance provider's premium.

"I like how the Health Center offers free women's health services. I am already on campus, so during breaks I just come over (to the Student Health Center) and it is a lot cheaper, even than Walmart or Walgreens," Potepalov said.

Beth Olagues, student manager at Sac State's Wellness Center, said the Sexual Health Program, as well as other educational programs, is part of the Health Education Department. The department, located in the Student Health Center, provides educational resources to enhance a student's wellness and health needs.

The Health Education Department offers a Wellness Program to students that provides lifestyle assessments, diet analysis and stress management. There is also a running and walking group called Hornets on the Move for students interested in improving their fitness.

The Nutritional Services at Sac State give students individual nutrition counseling as well as information on healthy eating and living.

Natasha Carvelli, junior nursing major, said she believes students benefit from services at the Student Health Center.

"I think it's a really great idea because there are so many people without health care and no other means. This is a really convenient way for people who are already on campus to get the things that they need," Carvelli said.

Crysta Lush, senior biology major, said the Student Health Center is a convenient and beneficial asset to the Sac State campus. She believes that students are not taking advantage of everything the Health Center has to offer.

"I think it is because (students) don't know much about it so because they don't know, they just don't bother with it," Lush said. "We do get charged for it anyway. You might as well utilize it."

Lush said upperclassmen are more likely to use the Student Health Center because they are more aware of the services on campus. She thinks the Student Health Center should pass out pamphlets to let students know what the center offers.

"They have a lot of awesome things that everyone could benefit from," Lush said. "It's just not out there."

Olagues said the Health Education Department offers special features like the tobacco "Quit Kits" for any student who is looking to end his or her tobacco addiction. The free kit includes honey sticks, a stress ball, sunflower seeds and educational pamphlets.

"This really helps a lot of people. It seems so simple, but it is actually really effective. Just knowing that there are people on campus that support people who are trying to help quit using tobacco. It's really great to know," Olagues said.

The Student Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays.

Students who are interested in using the Health Center's services should bring their Sac State OneCard.

The Health Center offers various internship opportunities to students interested in different aspects of the health facility. Students interested can apply in the spring.

Miranda Marsalla can be reached at mmarsalla@statehornet.com

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