Health Services: Your Campus Clinic

On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on respiratory viruses in response to the decreasing risk that COVID-19 poses to the population.  This updated guidance includes strategies to protect people at highest risk of getting seriously ill and provides recommendations for people with common viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.  Roger Williams University has updated its protocols to align with this new guidance.

Protect Yourself from Getting Sick:

Stay up to date with vaccination to protect against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, wash or sanitize hands often, and clean frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Take steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

If You Are Sick: 

1. To prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, stay home and away from others if you have symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion, body aches, fatigue, etc.
2. COVID and Flu testing is available in Health Services for students who are symptomatic. Students are encouraged to bring a supply of “at home”/rapid COVID antigen tests to campus with them.
3. Schedule an appointment at Health Services if you would like to be seen by a medical provider. 
4. Stay home and away from others until:
   1. At least 24 hours after your symptoms are getting better overall, AND 
   2. You have been fever-free (temp < 100.4 F) for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications
5. Students are responsible for notifying their professors about any illness resulting in absence of class.

If You Test Positive for COVID-19:

1. Isolate in your residence hall room or off-campus house. 
2. Resume normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms are getting better overall AND you remain fever-free without using fever-reducing medications
3. Take added precautions over the next five (5) days after time at home and away from others is over:
   1. Wear a well-fitting mask while around others while indoors
   2. Enhance hygiene practices
   3. Keep a distance from others
4. Students do not need to report a positive test result to Health Services and no longer have to complete the COVID-Self Reporting Form.  

Health Services is open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM during the academic school year.  During winter, spring and summer break, the clinic is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

To schedule an appointment:

• Call (401)254-3156  OR
• Use online self-scheduling

There are several options available for medical care when Health Services is closed. Please use your best judgment on how to care for yourself when Health Services is not open.

Non-Emergent After Hours Medical Care

Students who wish to seek care for acute or urgent medical issues during evenings, weekends and holidays may use local medical facilities.  Students must have their insurance card with them.

UBER Health is available for students who need transportation to urgent care or the hospital.  Contact Public Safety at 401-254-3333 to arrange Uber Health transportation.  The transportation charge will be billed to the student's bursar account.   

Emergency Medical Care

For on campus emergencies, contact the RA on duty or Public Safety at 401-254-3333.  Transportation to an off campus medical facility will be provided by UBER Health or by ambulance if medically indicated.   

For off campus emergencies, call 911. 

Students must have their insurance card with them.  Most health insurances have coverage limits which may not cover the full cost of off campus medical care, particularly emergency room visits.  Most insurances do not cover ambulance transportation.

Mental Health Emergencies

Students on campus having a mental health emergency after hours should contact Public Safety at 401-254-3333.  Students off campus should contact East Bay Center at 401-246-0700. 

For Students

RWU Health Services is committed to protecting student's personal health information (PHI) with the strictest confidentiality.  We will not disclose PHI to Dean's, Professors, other University staff, parents, or other parties without a student's consent except in rare circumstances as required by law or in the case of an emergency.  These exceptions include:

• Threat of immediate danger to self or others
• Reportable communicable illnesses, such as meningitis and sexually transmitted infections which constitute public health risks
• When clinicians or health records are subpoenaed by the court in legal cases 

In the event of an emergency situation requiring hospitalization where it is impossible to obtain a student's consent, the parent or legal guardian will be notified by the hospital.

Students can request the release of medical information to outside providers by completing the Authorization for Disclosure of Medical Information

For Parents/Families

Health Services staff are bound by laws governing confidentiality which applies to all individuals eighteen years of age or older.  We will not be able to discuss PHI with you without the prior consent of your son or daughter.  We encourage students to communicate with their parents about their medical issues to keep parents informed.

We will contact you any time your son or daughter requests that we do so.  In the event of a life-threatening/emergency situation requiring hospitalization where it is impossible to obtain a student's consent, the parent or guardian will be notified by the hospital. 

If you become concerned about the health or well being of your son or daughter, please do not hesitate to call. If it is urgent and Health Services is closed, contact Public Safety.

Health Service - (401) 254-3156
Public Safety - (401) 254-3333

CVS offers same-day delivery of prescription medications using Shipt.  Students must be a member to be eligible for this service.  Visit the Shipt website for information and to become a member. 

Medications are delivered to the Mail Room.  Students are responsible for picking up their medications.

Rhode Island State Law and the Rhode Island Department of Health require all incoming undergraduate students submit a current immunization record and tuberculosis risk screening questionnaire prior to arriving on campus.

All health forms must be entered electronically and uploaded in the patient portal. Forms will not be accepted by email, fax or mail.

Access health forms

**If Health Services does not receive completed health forms or a student is not compliant with Rhode Island mandated vaccines, a hold will be placed on the student's account and students will not be allowed to attend classes until cleared by Health Services.

Students who for medical or religious reasons decline Rhode Island mandated vaccines, must complete the medical exemption form and/or religious exemption form.  Upload the exemption form in the patient portal under immunization record.   

The transition to college is exciting.  You will have great opportunities for learning in and out of the classroom.  Stress is a natural aspect of college and life, and it usually passes.  We can help you get off on the right foot by encouraging you to focus on being well. 

Having a WELLNESS MINDSET will help you navigate your journey through college.  A wellness mindset is based on the belief that taking care of all areas of your wellness will enhance your experience at RWU so that you can feel proud of your achievements and learn from your struggles.

Students who hold a wellness mindset are more motivated and confident to face college with self-awareness, effort, persistence and self-care. Goals take time and effort to turn into habits.  Before arriving at school, try out some wellness habits that will help you succeed academically and personally at RWU.  Here are some suggestions to get you started:

1. Dispel the myth of the college all-nighter.  You can sleep your way to good grades.  Getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night  helps your brain and body rebuild and reset so that you have energy to be fully present in class, concentrate and retain information. 
2. Notice your breathing.  When you start to feel stressed or overwhelmed, pause for a moment to take slow deep breaths and notice how your body feels as your breath moves in and out of your body.
3. Get moving.  Physical activity is one of the best ways to refuel your body with energy and relieve stress. 
4. Plan to be social.  Making new friends takes effort and courage.  Visit RWU website and start looking at all the student clubs, organizations and ways to get involved at RWU.
5. Be okay with not being okay.  You may find that you are feeling many emotions as you plan your transition to RWU.  Remind yourself that it's okay to be nervous, excited, anxious, curious.  The feelings you experience are okay.
6. Practice gratitude.  Thinking about what you are grateful for can increase your sense of well-being and happiness.  At the end of each day, start your gratitude habit by thinking about what you are grateful for.
7. Nourish your body.  Food is fuel that you need to get through the day with energy and cognitive clarity.  Notice how your body feels when you nourish it with nutritious foods.  
8. Think about the choice to drink or not to drink.  Alcohol is a thing in college.  There are students that drink and there are students who choice not to drink.  Think about how you want your college experience to be and how alcohol may or may not fit into your overall goals.

HIV and STI screening

Half of all sexually active people will get an STI (sexually transmitted infection) before age 25.  Most won't know it. So get yourself tested.

You should get tested for HIV at least once a year if:

• You're a sexually active gay or bisexual man.
• You've had sex with an HIV-positive partner.
• You've had more than one partner since your last HIV test.
• You've shared needles to inject drugs.
• You've exchanged sex for drugs or money.
• You have another sexually transmitted disease, hepatitis, or tuberculosis.
• You've had sex with anyone who has done anything listed above or with someone whose sexual history you do not know.

Testing is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Schedule an appointment: Call (401) 254-3156  Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
   1. If you don't have symptoms and just want to get checked out, schedule an STI Screening (no symptoms) appointment with the nurse.
      If you have symptoms, think you've been exposed to an STI, or you are pregnant, schedule an STI Symptoms/Concern appointment with a nurse practitioner.
      If you may have been exposed to an STI, even if you haven't noticed any symptoms, schedule an appointment to talk about possible preventative treatment.
2. Before your appointment: Don't empty your bladder for at least 1 hour before your scheduled appointment time.  Refrain from eating, drinking or brushing your teeth for 20 minutes before HIV testing.
3. Get same day HIV results and other STI test results in 3-4 days. 

How to Protect Yourself from HIV and other STIs.

• Use condoms. Use condoms correctly every time you have sex. 
• Limit your number of sexual partners. The more partners you have, the more likely you are to have a partner with HIV whose HIV is not well controlled or to have a partner with an STI. Both of these factors can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
• Get tested and treated for STIs. Insist that your partners get tested and treated too. Having an STI can increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV or spreading it to others.
• Don't inject drugs.
• Talk to a health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).  PrEP is an HIV prevention option for individuals who don’t have HIV but who are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. PrEP involves taking an HIV medicine daily to lower your chance of getting infected.  

Truvada and Descovy are medications approved to significantly reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV infection in individuals at risk.  Daily PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by more than 70%. Your risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if you combine PrEP with condoms and other safer sex practices.

Prescriptions for Truvada and Descovy are available at Health Services.  Schedule an appointment to discuss if PrEP is right for you.

Students have the opportunity to meet virtually with a registered dietician at a time that is convenient for the student.  Any student interested in discussing food allergies, weight management, or any other food related concerns is encouraged to schedule an appointment.  The service is free and available to all students. 

The appointments are 30 minutes. 

Take advantage of this great opportunity.  Call Health Services at 401-254-3156 to schedule an appointment. 

Students who sustain a head injury or concussion are encouraged to seek evaluation at Health Services. Student athletes should see an Athletic Trainer for evaluation. Any student who sustains a head injury or concussion after hours, should go to a local emergency room or urgent care for evaluation. 

A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head which results in temporary loss of normal brain function.  A concussion can cause a variety of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms, and can range from mild to severe. The signs and symptoms of a concussion may be subtle and may not show up immediately. Symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even longer.     

The student may experience the following symptoms: headache, fatigue, mental fogginess, confusion, difficulty concentrating, delayed reaction time, memory problems, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dizziness, balance problems, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, difficulty sleeping, feeling unusually irritable, sad or nervous.    

Health Service's providers and Athletic Trainers can evaluate, treat, and provide follow-up or referral for students as well as assist with communication to professors.  Please call for an appointment at 401-254-3156.  Student athletes should call 401-254-3319 to schedule an appointment with an Athletic Trainer. 

The following are websites that provide additional information about concussion.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• NATA Concussion Statement
• NCAA Concussion Fact Sheet for Athletes

What other services are available at Health Services?

1. Health Services is available to help students obtain proper care, information, or accommodation information for a number of medical conditions. Health Services can provide you with recommendations for on-campus or local community resources that provide services for issues such as tuberculosis treatment, sexually transmitted infections, eating disorders, psychiatric care, or certain disabilities. We encourage students to contact us directly with their specific needs.

2. When a student has a chronic illness such as diabetes, epilepsy, eating disorders, etc., we will need a summary from your health care provider. In consultation with your health care provider, we can monitor you, as needed, while you are at school.

3. We can arrange for the transfer of your medical records/immunization records to another school.

4. Referrals can be made to the Roger Williams University Counseling Services.

5. Health education counseling and wellness information is offered to discuss diet, exercise, stress-management, and disease prevention.

What do I do if I am sick?

If you are not feeling well, you should call Health Services at 401-254-3156 to schedule an appointment with a health care provider or use online self-scheduling on the Health Services Patient Portal. The provider can diagnose and treat many of the common health problems of a student on a college campus. Our providers are licensed to prescribe prescription medications as well as dispense over the counter medications. A physician is also available on a part-time basis to see students with more complex problems.

Students will receive an email the evening before their scheduled appointment reminding them of their appointment date and time. If a student needs to cancel or change their appointment, they are advised to call Health Services as soon as possible. There will be a $25.00 charge for all no-shows.

Can a nurse come to my room if I am too sick to come to Health Services?

No, unfortunately we cannot send staff to the residence halls as that would leave the clinic understaffed. We can assist you with getting transportation via Public Safety or if you are too ill via ambulance to an emergency room.

What do I do about meals when I am too ill to go to the dining hall?

The ill student can have his friend or roommate pick up a takeout meal. The friend or roommate should bring the ill students ID card with them.

What do I do if I am too ill to attend classes?

It is the student’s responsibility to contact professors if unable to attend classes. It is preferred that you contact your professors as soon as practical to make arrangements to make-up work. If you wish to be seen by Health Services, you must call and schedule an appointment. Health care providers will not provide medical excuse notes or speak to professors regarding a student’s visit.

Can I get my immunization at Health Services?

Immunizations are available at Health Services for a fee. Health insurance does not cover the fee for immunizations. CVS is another option for obtaining immunizations.

Can I get a physical at Health Services?

We do offer routine well physicals and pre-participation sports physicals at Health Services for an additional fee. We highly encourage pre-participation sports physicals to be done prior to the start of the school year by the student’s primary care provider.

What if I have to have lab work or x-rays, or see another provider?

Most laboratory tests can and will be collected at Health Services. These specimens are then sent to an outside laboratory for processing. If you need x-rays or other diagnostic testing, they can be scheduled for you at local facilities. Laboratory tests sent for processing and diagnostic testing done outside of Health Services are billed to your insurance.

For student convenience, we will draw blood for tests ordered by outside providers. The student would need to bring in the order for the lab test. Lab results will be faxed to the ordering provider who would be responsible for managing the health concern.

What if I am referred to an outside specialist?

If you are referred to an outside specialist for consultation or further treatment, a list of specialists in the local area are available and you will be assisted with making the appointment. Referral appointments are billed to your insurance. If you are unable to keep the appointments, please notify Health Services and call the specialty clinic to cancel your appointment. Failure to cancel the appointment may result in a no-show fee.

IMPORTANT: Health insurances vary in their coverage for each of the above items. It is important to always present your insurance card and be aware that your insurance may or may not cover the cost of the test or appointment.

Is there a pharmacy at Health Services?

Pharmedix offers convenient in-office dispensing of several commonly used prescription medications for a nominal fee that cannot be billed to the student’s health insurance. If a student does not wish to use this service, the health care provider can put in an electronic prescription that can be filled at one of the local pharmacies. Many over the counter medications are available at Health Services for a nominal fee.

What if I have a disability?

Students having any medical or physical disability are encouraged to contact Health Services as early as possible before enrollment to ensure coordination of comprehensive medical care and adequate insurance protection. Accommodations are made in coordination with the Office of Student Accessibility Services

Does Health Services store medication?

Students who arrive to Roger Williams University with prescription medications are responsible for keeping those medications with them in their residence hall rooms. There is no available space to maintain student medications. We encourage students to bring a lock box with them to store their medication.

What first aid supplies should I bring with me?

Each student should come with some knowledge of how to treat minor medical problems. These are a few basic health care supplies we recommend students bring to campus:

• First aid kit containing band-aids, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), Robitussin DM, murine, allergy medications (Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec), decongestants (Sudafed), cough drops.

• Digital thermometer.

• Chemical cold pack to keep in freezer to reduce swelling.

• Chemical warm pack to heat in microwave for muscle ache.

• Any other home remedy that does not violate Residence Life Policies.

Anne Mitchell, MSN, APRN (she/her)
Director Of Health Services
Nurse Practitioner

Geoffrey Hamilton, MD (he/him)
Physician

Sara Campion-Egan, MSN, APRN (she/her)
Nurse Practitioner

Mary Jo MacKinnon, ND, MSN, APRN (she/her)
Nurse Practitioner

June Bjerregaard, MSN, APRN  (she/her)
Nurse Practitioner

Marjorie Bobola, BHSA, ADN (she/her)
Registered Nurse

Ana Cabral, CMA (she/her)
Certified Medical Assistant 

Maureen Dalton (she/her)
Medical Assistant

Rachel Robichaud (she/her)
Medical Secretary