The first time your student is sick away from home can be a difficult experience - for them and for you. When we see first year students, it is often the first time they have been to a doctor's office without a parent. By the time they are seniors, they have learned to manage their own health care needs. This guide will help you know what to do should your student become ill.

1. Make sure your student has adequate health insurance and investigate what health care facilities or pharmacies your student should use in case of illness. HMO's and PPO's can make insurance extremely complicated. Dealing with insurance coverage issues are not fun at anytime, but when your child is sick, it is the last thing you want to be doing.
2. Provide your student with his/her own insurance card and review how to use it. Review information such as co-pays, in-network providers, need for pre-authorizations, and prescription coverage.
3.  If your student does not have insurance, please visit https://www.healthcare.gov/ for more information about acquiring health insurance.
4. Your student must complete a health history, physical and be up to date with the required vaccinations before they come to campus. The student should be knowledgeable of food or drug allergies and family and personal medical histories.
5. Make sure your student knows about the Wellness Center. We are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm while the residence halls are open. A physician or physician assistant holds clinic hours every day. (See hours and services for Doctor's hours). For after-hours care, there are several local Urgent Care Centers and hospitals in the area.  The college does not provide transportation for off campus health care visits. 
6. Send your student to college with a basic first aid kit and make sure they know how to use the contents. Contents could include basic over-the-counter medications (pain relievers, cold medicines, antihistamines), antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, band-aids, and a thermometer. The Wellness Center has a self-help center that stocks these items also should your student run out.
7. Encourage them to communicate with their professor when they are ill. Professors will be more understanding if they know what is going on.
8. Talk to your students about drug and alcohol use.
9.  Reinforce good health habits - Encourage healthy eating, plenty of sleep, good hand washing, and regular exercise.
10. Encourage your student to use the Wellness Center. We want to help your student and can provide a great service for them.