The UNMC Student Health Clinic will move from the Durham Outpatient Center to the Student Life Center.
Facility renovation is expected to be complete early in 2023, with planning actively underway.
The relocated student health clinic, which will be operated by Nebraska Medicine, will provide services to students in a location that is convenient for them. Additionally, the dedicated space will expand the space and improve the experience for students seeking health care.
"This relocation of the Student Health Clinic to the Student Life Center adds a significant boost to our efforts to create a hub for student wellness," said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. "We are excited to partner with Nebraska Medicine as well. Serious medicine. Extraordinary care."
Phil Covington, EdD, associate vice chancellor for student success, agreed.
"We look forward to partnering with our colleagues at Nebraska Medicine for the clinical operations of Student Health. Their experience operating the clinics at both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha will benefit UNMC students," he said.
The relocation decision was driven by UNMC students.
"Students have been clear in their desire to have the Student Health Clinic relocated to its own space for a number of reasons, and we are pleased to be in a position to make it happen," Dr. Covington said.
The UNMC Student Senate has pushed for the movement of the clinic for some time, UNMC Student President Taylor Kratochvil said.
"This is where the rubber meets the road on being able to have whole-student health care," Kratochvil said.
The clinic becomes part of a suite of services for students at the Student Life Center that will help create a "hub" for student wellness, Dr. Covington said. The clinic will join the Counseling and Psychological Services Office, the Accessibility Services Center, the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center and the Center for Healthy Living, which already are in the newly expanded and renovated building.
Jeffrey Harrison, MD, who led the clinic at the Durham Outpatient Center, said the move will be convenient for students.
"The Student Life Center is a central place for all learners on campus," he said.
Kratochvil said existing resources under the UNMC Department of Family Medicine were excellent but noted that Nebraska Medicine brings extensive experience in managing student clinics.
Said Hannah Tandon, vice president of the Student Senate, "It gives us access to the world of resources that Nebraska Medicine has, to be able to offer even more services to students over time."
"Nebraska Medicine has worked in cooperation for some time the with UNMC Department of Family Medicine to support the needs of students," said Tom Macy, vice president of operations at Nebraska Medicine. "Nebraska Medicine’s experience operating student health at UNL and UNO will help us provide the best access and care for all UNMC students."
He added that the move will not result in the elimination or reduction of staff positions.
Glad that the Student Health Clinic will move to the Student Life Center as it centralizes services available to students.