By Grace Colville Sept. 24, 2021
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2021) — At the University of Kentucky, we prioritize student health and wellness, which is why it’s important for students to be familiar with resources that will help keep them healthy and safe—especially this school year.
With the addition of Epic as UK HealthCare’s new hospital software, there is a new sign-up process at University Health Service (UHS) for new and returning students:
- Students must create and log in to their MyChart account before they are able to make an appointment at UHS.
- Once students have made their MyChart account, they may schedule an appointment online or by downloading the MyChart app.
- If you’re having trouble scheduling online, you can call 859-323-APPT (2778) to schedule an appointment.
- Students must call to schedule a behavioral health appointment.
- For behavioral health ONLY, call 859-323-5511
You can find instructions on how to sign up and log into MyChart here.
Once you’ve set up your MyChart account, there are many ways students can use UHS as a resource. Through the health fee, full-time students have access to all different kinds of care.
Primary Care
Primary care visits are very important for student health and wellness. All types of physical exams, including routine, sports, employment and travel exams are included in this type of care. Primary care also includes chronic disease management for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Acute care visits are also available for students, offered for unexpected illnesses or injuries. For serious injuries, students should seek care at a local urgent care clinic or emergency department.
Flu shot visits are also in the primary care category. More information about when students can schedule their flu shot appointment will be available in October.
Behavioral Health
UHS recognizes the unique stress and pressures college students face. Whether students need continued care for an existing psychological condition, additional support or guidance with new or unexpected psychological concerns or have an acute need for psychiatric care — the UHS behavioral health team can help. Drug and alcohol use disorder counseling and ADHD testing are also available. All discussions are confidential.
The first visit to the Behavioral Health Clinic usually involves a brief discussion about the student's background. This helps clarify the student's needs and develop a treatment plan. This plan may include treatment at the Behavioral Health Clinic, at the UK Counseling Center or a referral to resources in the community.
Evaluation, brief crisis intervention and medication management are offered for a variety of difficulties, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol use disorder, eating disorders, attention difficulties, stress and grief.
Health Education and Wellness Services
The PAWS (Promoting and Achieving Wellness for Students) Health Education Team is committed to providing students with the wellness resources they need to succeed. Their mission is to provide inclusive, collaborative, innovative, evidence-based health promotion programs and services to University of Kentucky students. They provide services that support optimal physical, mental and social health by reducing risk, preventing illness and empowering healthy behavior change.
Sexual Health
Students have access to sexual health education sessions in the Gynecology/Genitourinary (GYN/GU) Clinic. In these sessions, a provider will review information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), what to expect during a wellness visit and birth control options if the student is interested. The PAWS team encourages all sexually active people to be tested for STIs. GYN/GU appointments offer primary care gynecological services to all University of Kentucky students.
Dietetics and Nutrition
The UHS registered dietitian (RD) and nutrition coach help students navigate any nutrition concerns they may have. Students with a medical condition related to nutrition, will be seen by an RD.
The RD sees students in a one-on-one setting for eating disorder treatment, known medical conditions like IBS/digestive concerns, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome.
All other types of nutrition visits will be overseen by the nutrition coach, who is a graduate student in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Health and Wellness Coaching
UHS’s national board-certified health and wellness coach serves as an ally who aids students in becoming active participants in achieving their self-identified health goals. Health and wellness coaches believe the patient is the expert in their own life and through coaching, they will gain a partner who will assist them in setting goals, identifying barriers and providing accountability to enhance well-being. Health and wellness coaching is not counseling and UHS’s coach is equipped to direct students to the service that will best support their needs.
Health and wellness coaching covers a variety of topics including, but not limited to time management, sleep and relaxation, study skills, stress management, general nutrition and active living and lifestyle.
Tobacco Treatment
UHS offers individual tobacco cessation counseling. These sessions allow students to meet with treatment specialists who offer information and support on quitting options. UHS treatment experts help students develop a personalized quit plan that includes behavior changes and possibly medication.
Students who are interested in quitting but who are not ready to meet with a tobacco specialist yet can text DROPVAPEBBN to 88709 to get started.
For more information on all the resources UHS offers for students under the health fee, visit the Student Health page on their website.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research andcreative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs,a$476.5 million research and development enterpriseand a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.
