STUDENT HEALTH CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES - October 28, 2002


Members Present: Lori McKee, Chair

Daniel Balizan, VP ASNMSU

Kate Cunningham, CHOICES

Karin Diener, Health Ed Coordinator, SHC

Silvia Green, Assistant Director, Intramurals

Ann Hales, Professor, Nursing

Deanna Lavanty, Health, Nutrition & Food Science Assoc.

Melanie Martin, Graduate Student Council

Michael O’Larey, Assistant Director, Athletics Health

Members Absent: Paul LaPorte, Director, Intramurals

Leslie Robbins, Assistant Professor, Nursing

Jason Rogers, Pre-Health Professions Organization


APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the April 25, 2002, meeting were approved.


OLD BUSINESS:

Insurance:

  1. In July 2002, a new insurance plan was selected to be endorsed by the SHC. There has been a drop in enrollment by approximately 40%. Many foreign student looked into other types of insurance plans, and others have sought other insurance coverage. The new plan has not begun paying yet as the university had not cut the premium check until the first of October 2002. Payments should begin soon.

  2. Lori McKee has talked with Daniel Balizan, VP, ASNMSU, regarding the possibility of ASNMSU taking over the responsibilities of selecting an insurance carrier. This would allow the student population to have a greater input in the selection process, along with faculty and staff. This proposal will be brought before the legislative body. April 2003 will be the next time when renewal prospects will need to be reviewed.


NEW BUSINESS:

1. Introduction of Members: Members introduced themselves. Lori McKee reviewed the frequency of meetings (three meetings during the Fall and the Spring Semesters) and the purpose of the committee (to allow student input regarding the university health services such as reviewing health fees, insurance, and health education programs of benefit to students). Members present agreed that Mondays at 3:00 p.m. is a good time for scheduling meetings.


2. Stats: Comparing to last year through September, the number of patient visits increased by 11%, prescriptions decreased by 0.25%, Lab increased by 0.03%; Xray decreased by 17%; Nurse visits increased by 22%; Physician On Call decreased by 81%; and, Saturday clinic saw no change. The


3. BE Magazine: Samples of BE magazine were distributed to members present. This is a magazine provided free of charge to the SHC as members of the American College Health Association. There was some controversy over this magazine at the beginning of the year, and its format is being revised. The next issue is due out in January 2003. It is given to campus clubs, organizations, and distributed to dorms.

Student Health Center Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes - October 28, 2002

Page 2


4. Health Education Update: Karin Diener reported on her success with campus presentations. Presentations have been given mainly on STDs and contraceptives. Presentations have been made to health classes, Freshman 150, and athletic groups including the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the football team. The SHC has also branched out with presentations on eating disorders and alcohol and tobacco. Two weeks ago, the SHC participated in the National Depression Screening Day, will be participating in the November “Great American Smoke Out” day, hopes to have a health fair in Spring 2003, and is attempting to organize a bone marrow donor screening program.



5. Flu Vaccine: The Flu vaccine is now available. The charge is $10.


6. Practitioner On Call Service: Physician On-Call system has been experiencing problems since the university upgraded its phone system. Since that time, the service is no longer on a separate, after hours line, but is incorporated into the clinic’s main menu for the clinic’s general day time operations menu. This is meant as a non-emergency, after clinic hours, medical advice line. Apparently, callers are assuming it is an emergency contact line, or a voice message service. The SHC plans to run an article in the Round Up explaining this service.


7. Other

  1. Staff Shortages: The SHC staff is down by one nurse and a nurse supervisor. The ratio of nurses to practitioners is currently one nurse to two practitioners. Therefore, the wait time for patients may increase somewhat.

  2. New Hospital: Melanie Martin inquired what the SHC’s relationship is with the Mountainview Regional Hospital. Currently, we have no relationship with Mountainview. Under the current insurance plan, Memorial Medical Center is our provider.

  3. Emergencies After Hours: When the SHC is closed, it is best to go to Memorial Medical Center’s emergency department. There you will be triaged and either referred to Prompt Care (for minor emergencies) or be treated at the emergency department.

  4. Women’s Studies Programs: A presentation is scheduled for November 15, 2002, on sexual assault at NMSU which will be presented by La Pinon from 12 - 1 pm. The location has not yet been determined. Lori McKee indicated the SHC would like be involved with this.

  5. Treating rape cases at the SHC?: Daniel Balizan inquired whether this would ever be a possibility. The particulars of handling this type of case, including the forensics, requires certain staffing and equipment which the SHC could not support. Kate Cunningham, who volunteers for La Pinon, informed members that there is a trauma nurse on duty twenty-four hours, and they are handling the needs of the community very well.

  6. Wellness Person: Silvia Green reported that Intramurals is attempting to obtain a wellness person.


NEXT MEETING: Monday, November 18, 2002.

Respectfully submitted,


_______________________________________________

Lori McKee, Administrative Director, Student Health Center

Chairperson