Student Health Services

Where is the Health Center located?
It is located at 78 W. Home St., east of the Campus Center.

When is it open?
It is open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Who will be there when I visit the Health Center?
Ann Pryfogle, an RN, is on duty daily, and a physician is on duty for two hours a day. These two hours vary day to day. The doctors are local family practice or internal medicine practitioners. Louise Machemehl, RN, Dawn Elliott and Secretary Eunice McKee are also available.

How do I use the Health Center?
Use it as a walk-in clinic for a physician and a nurse.

What are the services the Health Center provides?
The Health Center can diagnose and treat illness and injury, administer allergy vaccines (during physician hours; will store vaccine in Health Center), follow and order medications for depression, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders, make appropriate referrals for counseling, administer the following immunizations: Hepatitis B, Meningitis vaccine, Flu vaccine and TB skin tests (these carry charges payable at time of service), provide counseling for contraceptives and routine gynecological exams and counsel, diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases.

How much do I pay?
There is no direct fee for a physician or nurse visit. Comprehensive fees support the Health Center. There is a charge for some medications, large amounts of supplies, routine immunizations and some laboratory tests done at the Health Center.

What laboratory tests are available?
The Health Center can do urine dips, strep tests and pregnancy tests. Other tests can be done at St. Ann's Hospital or where parent's insurance dictates.

Are X-ray services available?
There are none at the Health Center, but they can be done at St. Ann's or where parent's insurance dictates.

If I am a nursing student, when do I get my two-step TB test?
You will need that test your sophomore year.

Can I borrow things that I need for medical reasons?
Crutches and a heating pad are available for loan.

What are the pharmacy services?
There is no pharmacy to fill prescriptions at the Health Center, but starter/sample medications can be dispensed on physician's order. Students can go to their pharmacy of choice to have their prescriptions filled. The Health Center will work with students to decide where they should go based on insurance and other needs. The Health Center will dispense over-the-counter medications for aching, fevers, cold symptoms and upset stomachs.

What other services are offered by the Health Center?
Teaching students to care for illnesses and injuries as well as preventing illnesses by good health measures are part of the Health Center's purpose. Information on AIDS, STDs, weight management, birth control, anorexia, blood pressure, diabetes and other issues are available in the lobby or by request.

What do I do if the Health Center is closed?
Resident Assistants and Hall Directors are available to be of assistance. In case of an emergency, dialing 911 will call a squad from St. Ann's, just over a mile away. There is also an Urgent Care Center from Grant Riverside on Cleveland Avenue by Schrock Road and an Urgent Care on Cleveland Avenue at County Line Road; Urgent Care fees are not covered by Otterbein; the parent's insurance must be used.

What is Otterbein's student insurance coverage?
The parent's insurance is the primary insurance for the student. This is true for varsity athletes as well. Otterbein covers all full time students with an accident only policy, with no direct charge to the student. To use the school insurance, a student must fill out a claim form at the Health Center, submit all original bills and explanation of benefits from parent's insurance. You must file with parent's insurance first. Accident coverage is 100% of up to $5000 of covered charges.

Send a copy of parent's insurance card to the Health Center when the student enrolls. Check for coverage of the student in the policy, especially if Otterbein is out of the coverage area. Many policies have certain labs, hospitals and physicians that must be used in order for the insurance to pay.

There is an optional student sickness and accident plan. A student must be enrolled and send in a premium. For more information, contact the Health Center.

What are the pre-entrance requirements for students?
The completed health record must include: medical history, a physical by a health care provider, the following immunizations: Tet/Diph, MMR (2 after one year of age) and polio vaccine and a TB skin test (Mantoux) within six months of arriving on campus, a hepatitis B vaccine series (recommended) and a meningitis vaccine (recommended, available at Health Center after September 15. A special day to receive the vaccine is September 30.) Information will be sent to parents before classes start.

Can I get a physical at Otterbein?
No, it should be done by a physician that knows the student. There is not enough staff at Otterbein to complete the physical.

If I can't get the needed immunizations, can I get them at the Health Center?
Yes, for a fee, but it is recommended to get them before school starts.

If I am an athlete, do I still need a pre-entrance physical even though I'll get a sports physical?
Yes, Otterbein records must be complete before sports participation can occur.

If I have other questions, who can I call?
Call or email Ann Pryfogle in the Health Center at (614) 823-1345.