Medical Services

The Wellness Center operates like an urgent care clinic that provides students with access to highly trained medical professionals right here on campus. Available services include a wide range of everyday health needs including care for illness and injury, immunizations, women’s and men’s health, mental health, and dermatology. Each medical category below provides additional examples of the types of services provided. If you do not see a medical service listed, please contact the Wellness Center to ask if the treatment is offered. If deemed appropriate, physicians may provide a referral to a specialist or determine if a higher level of care is required.

Minor Illness

  • Abdominal pain
  • Allergic reactions
  • Allergies (seasonal)
  • Bladder or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Coughs, colds, or bronchitis
  • Dehydration
  • Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
  • Earaches or ear infections
  • Fevers
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Headaches
  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Itchy eyes
  • Mononucleosis
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Nasal congestion or sinus symptoms
  • Pink eye
  • Sore throat, strep throat, or laryngitis
  • STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
  • Swimmer's ear
  • Vision problems

Minor Injury

  • Actively bleeding injuries
  • Bruises or scrapes
  • Insect bites or stings
  • Minor burns or rashes
  • Minor cuts or wounds
  • Minor sports injuries
  • Minor sprains, strains, and fractures
  • Placement and removal of stitches and sutures
  • Splinters
  • Swelling
  • Wound checks

Immunizations & Screenings

Immunizations

  • Tetanus (Tdap)
  • MMR — Measles, Mumps, Rubella
  • Meningitis
  • Hepatitis A
  • Flu Shot
  • COVID-19 immunization (Moderna)

Screenings

  • PPD Testing (TB)
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 
  • PAP Smear

Women’s & Men's Health

Women

  • Birth control 
  • Pregnancy tests and referrals
  • Treatment for bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Treatment for gynecological infections
  • Treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Men

  • Education on self testicular exams
  • Treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Safety and wellbeing education

Sexual Health

  • Pregnancy tests
  • Contraception prescriptions and education
  • Sexually transmitted infections screenings
    • Chlamydia 
    • Gonorrhea 
    • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 
    • Hepatitis C
    • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Skin Care

  • Abscesses that need incision and draining (I&D)
  • Acne (including acne that requires an Accutane prescription)
  • Athlete's foot
  • Cold or canker sores
  • Eczema or dry skin
  • Foreign bodies that need removal ie: splinters
  • Impetigo (simple dermatitis)
  • Ingrown hair removal
  • Lice
  • Poison ivy or poison oak
  • Rashes or hives
  • Ringworm
  • Shingles
  • Skin infections
  • Styes
  • Sunburn
  • Swimmer's itch
  • Warts

Mental Health

Common concerns that may be addressed in short-term therapy may include:

  • Mild to moderate anxiety and depression
  • Adjustment and developmental concerns
  • Interpersonal concerns (friends, family, roommates, romantic partnerships)
  • Self-esteem
  • Concerns related to the transition to college
  • Identity development related to various dimensions of identity (sexual, racial/ethnic, religious, gender, etc.)
  • Academic performance and motivation

Concerns commonly addressed through a referral to an off-campus provider may include:

  • Students needing treatment over multiple semesters
  • Students needing more than once-a-week intervention on an ongoing basis
  • Long-standing and/or significant depression, mood disorder, or anxiety 
  • Active, significant eating disorders — our registered dietitian will consult with you to assist with treatment options
  • Substance abuse
  • History of inpatient treatment for mental health purposes
     

Wellness Counseling Center

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

The Wellness Center staff is pleased to work with you to keep you in good health. All our patients and clients have the right to privacy and confidentiality. As a consumer, you have the responsibility to be honest and direct in a courteous fashion about everything that relates to your needs for health services. Exceptions are determined by California and federal law, which directs us to report if you or someone else is in imminent danger or if a minor or impaired person is being abused.

Dignity

You have a right to have your dignity as an individual recognized and respected, regardless of your race, age, sex, or lifestyle. You should expect that all clinicians will introduce themselves and address you according to your preference.

Privacy

You have a right to privacy. You should expect that your discussion, examination, and treatment will be conducted in private. You should expect that the presence of any individual will be explained to you and that person will be introduced by name.

Confidentiality

You have a right to confidentiality of all communications and records relating to you according to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Your permission must be obtained before we may give information to anyone not directly connected with your care or educational interests — which applies to your parents and college officials. Exceptions required by law include reporting certain communicable diseases, threats of suicide or homicide, or suspected child abuse.

Ownership

You have the right to review your medical record and have a copy if you so desire. Your health records can also be accessed via your secure student patient portal.

Understanding

You will be expected to be an active participant in decisions regarding your health.

You have a right to know and understand:

  • Our assessment of your problem
  • What tests are being done and why
  • The risks of any tests or treatment
  • Alternatives, if any, and their risks
  • The prospects for resolution of your problem
  • The charges, if any, for your care

Service

You have a right to expect pleasant and courteous service.

Patient Responsibilities

As a consumer of student health services, you have responsibilities as well as rights. They include the following:

  • Prescriptive medications, injections, and laboratory tests will have a financial charge. Charges will be added to your school account. The cost is kept as low as possible. It is your responsibility to discuss any financial burden this might pose.
  • Being a good health consumer does not mean being a silent partner. If you feel your rights have not been respected, ask to see the clinical care director or associate dean of Student Success & Wellness.
  • Your health is a shared responsibility.
  • Be honest and direct in a courteous fashion about everything that relates to your needs for health services.
  • Be sure you understand your health situation. If you do not understand the treatment plan or test, ask the practitioner about it.
  • Follow the prescribed plan. It is your responsibility to advise us if you cannot follow it.

For After Hours Medical Emergencies

Urgent Care Visits

Visit an urgent care center for the medical issues noted below. Refer to the back of your medical card for instructions to find a facility. 

  • Cuts and Minor Burns
  • Sprains
  • Earaches, Fever, Cold, Flu
  • Vomiting and Diarrhea
  • Allergies
  • Sinus Infections
  • Insect Bites
  • Rashes

Emergency Room Visits

Visit an emergency room for a critical or life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention, such as:

  • Loss of Consciousness
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Suspected Broken Bones
  • Chest Pain
  • Heavy Blood Loss

Go directly to a local emergency room if you suspect a life-threatening situation OR call 911 and Public Safety at (619) 849-2525.

In the event of an emergency, refer to the back of your health insurance card for coverage information.

  • HMO health care plans must go to their designated healthcare providers and/or healthcare facilities to receive care, unless it is a life-threatening situation and an emergency room must be accessed immediately.
  • PPO health plans may access any urgent care or emergency facility (except Kaiser).
  • Kaiser health plans must access a Kaiser facility. 
  • If it is a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Local Healthcare Facilities

Emergency Services

Sharp Memorial Emergency Services
7901 Frost Street
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 939-3400

Scripps Memorial Emergency Services
9888 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 626-4123

Scripps Mercy Hospital Emergency Services
4077 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 294-8111

Sharp Coronado Emergency Services
250 Prospect Place
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-3600

Kaiser Permanente Emergency Services
4647 Zion Avenue
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 528-5000

Urgent Care Facilities

Sharp Rees-Stealy Urgent Care
2001 Fourth Avenue
San Diego, CA  92101
(619) 446-1575

Kaiser Urgent Care
8080 Parkway Drive
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 528-5000

San Diego Sports Medicine/Urgent Care
1945 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 224-7977