Academic Year Information

Appointments

The Health Center is open 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. To make an appointment, please call 616.395.7585.

After-Hours and Local Care

Treatment Services

• Rapid on-site testing for common health concerns  
• Illness 
• Minor injury including sprains, strains, and minor fractures
• Minor lacerations and wound care
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Mental health medication
• Other concerns

Wellness Services

• Vaccine administration (not covered under the HopeHealth Benefit) 
  • Routine Hope-required vaccines
  • Influenza vaccine
  • Travel vaccines
• Annual women’s health exams
• Physicals for travel, camp, work or sports
• TB testing
• Consultation with our registered dietician
• Athletic training
• On-going collaboration for health management with your Primary Health Provider while you are here at Hope
• Coordination of mental health services

Travel Services

• Customized travel report
• Travel vaccines
• Malaria prophylaxis

Our providers include medical doctors, advanced practice providers, registered dietician, certified athletic trainer and registered nurses. We understand the concerns of college students and provide services to help them be academically successful. When specialty care is needed, you may be referred to a local provider. All currently enrolled, full- and part-time, degree-seeking students are eligible to use our confidential services for their health care.

Services offered

• Acute illness
• Chronic illness – co-management with your specialist
• Mental health concerns
• Physicals for study abroad, camp, work
• Women's annual exams (e.g., pap testing, self-breast exam)
• STI testing
• Tuberculosis testing
• Immunizations
• Laboratory processing with an order from your home physician
• Assessment of injuries

Confidentiality 

• In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA, or the Buckley Amendment), which requires that colleges and universities protect the privacy of student records, it is Hope College’s policy NOT to release non-directory information (including medical records) to anyone other than the student, unless the student has given us express written permission to do so. Please note that this limitation includes parents and guardians.
• A student may request to sign our release of information form if they would like us to speak with anyone concerning any of their visits.
• If you wish to do this, be sure to ask to sign this release at the time of your visit to save you from making a trip back!

Specific Health Concerns

If you have health concerns that you would like to speak with someone about before or when you arrive to Hope College:

• We strongly encourage those with serious or newly diagnosed health concerns to schedule an appointment to develop a “college health care” plan.
• Call 616.395.7585 to schedule a time to meet with someone.
• It would be helpful to have a summary of your condition from your physician to keep in your medical chart here.

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

• You have the right, whenever possible, to select your own clinician.
• You have the right to receive complete information regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of your health problem.
  Your responsibility is to provide complete, honest information to your clinician and to other Student Health Services staff, so that the best decisions may be made about your health care.
• You have the right to request vaccine information statements in your preferred language.
• You have the right to be seen in a timely manner for your health concerns.
  Your responsibility is to cancel or change your appointment in a timely manner, to allow others in need to have access to a health care provider.
• You have the right to receive adequate information necessary to provide informed consent prior to the start of any procedure, test or treatment.
  Your responsibility is to make sure you understand or ask questions in order to clarify your understanding.
• You have the right to refuse treatment, or to ask for a second opinion or an alternative course of treatment, and to be informed of the medical consequences of your actions.
  If you agree to a course of treatment, you have a responsibility to yourself and to the clinician to follow the prescribed instructions, including completing medication and returning for follow-up appointments.
• You have the right to ask for a prescription for an outside pharmacy, or to have diagnostic tests performed at another facility.
• You have the right to privacy concerning your health care. All care received at Student Health Services will be kept strictly confidential except as required by law. You also have the right of access to your medical records. In accordance with Student Health Center procedural guidelines, you may review your record with an authorized staff member. You may also receive a copy of your medical record or designate a Healthcare Provider to receive a copy of your record on your behalf.
• You have the right to receive an explanation of any service charge incurred.
  Your responsibility is to be aware that, while there is no charge to be evaluated by Student Health Services, there may be costs incurred by outside services or that which exceeds policy limits.

Academic Medical Excuse Policy

The Hope Health Center does not provide medical excuses for missed classes, exams or assignments since medical conditions are confidential and frequently not verifiable. Students may request documentation of their visit for faculty or employer, as needed.

This policy is based on our limited resources, which are better dedicated to providing health care; the inability for us to make valid determinations about illnesses or injuries students may have effectively managed through self-care; and our commitment to student privacy. We suggest that students dialogue with faculty members regarding their circumstances for missed classes or assignments.

This policy is consistent with the recommendations of the American College Health Association and is similar to other colleges and universities. It is respectful of students and their responsibilities, promotes trust among students and faculty, and allows students more time to devote to their studies.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

A healthy campus community is a vibrant and inspiring place to work, study and live. It celebrates the contributions of all and welcomes a diversity of ideas, backgrounds and experiences.

The staff of the Hope Health Center is committed to sustaining a welcoming environment where diversity, equity and inclusion are valued and demonstrated in our organizational practices, policies, services and programs. We respect the uniqueness of the students we serve, and embrace the opportunity to provide quality, culturally competent care that reflects our common desire to feel respected, valued and welcomed.

We aim to serve all Hope students expert care regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, race, religious commitment (or lack thereof), sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background or physical ability.

Our staff is guided by the American College Health Association Cultural Competency Statement that supports all initiatives to create a healthy campus climate guided by the values of cultural inclusion, respect, equality and equity.

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