Page 10-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition-University - Thursday, September 10, 1992 Health Services takes care of students in place of Mom and Dad by Maureen Little For many first-year students, going to college is their first time away from home. There are many things to experience for the first time: classes in a big lecture hall, Greek parties, staying up all night studying, and being sick without your parents to comfort and care for you. This may be a traumatic experi- ence, but it doesn't have to be. "University Health Services (UHS) is an outpatient care facility that is primarily geared towards stu- dents and their needs," said Jen Stewart of Health Promotion and Community Relations. Students' most common ailments include viral infections and upper respiratory, gastrointestinal and gy- necological problems, said Dr. Caesar Briefer, director of UHS. UHS is primarily funded through an $87.36 per-semester health service fee that is charged to all students. This fee provides 75 percent of UHS funding. According to UHS, "Over the past eight years, increases in this fee have been kept below increases in the medical care cost index." Most UHS services are free of charge. However, students provide insurance information to cover the cost of pharmaceuticals, optometry and orthopedic care, and immunization. "I like Health Services because it's easy, free, and helpful," said LSA junior Kim Burman. UHS sends a letter - which in- cludes an immunization question- naire - to all entering students in- forming them of the services it pro- vides. UHS is also a stop on the Orientation tour. "In general, the prices are cheaper (at the UHS pharmacy)," said Briefer. The more of a product UHS buys the cheaper it will be for the student. "Over 70 percent of the under- classmen at the University have vis- ited the clinic one time," said Briefer. "And the average student visits the clinic 3.1 times." UHS takes walk-ins, but students can avoid waiting by making an ap- pointment. when seeking treatment. "Ideally, if students made ap- pointments, there wouldn't be a wait," said Briefer. While each ap- pointment is scheduled for 15 min- utes, appointment times can be lengthened depending on the nature of the problem. UHS is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday , 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday , and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The best time to go to UHS is first thing in the morning. Students can be in and out quickly. Long waits are inevitable in the early afternoon. UHS is staffed with 13 full-time physicians, and 25-26 physician assistants and nurse practitioners. "I went to the eye doctor at Health Services to get new glasses," said Engineering sophomore Cindy Romer. "I liked him better than my regular doctor because he was nice and he explained everything." UIS also provides workshops on various topics including alcohol ed- ucation, contraception, stress man- agement, and body image. It offers anonymous AIDS testing and a variety of health-related pamphlets. "The staff at UHS is caring and committed," said Briefer. "We have a pretty good place, and I'm proud of our operation." 1 A MAINSTREET H? H4 Ste4! A, it. J I r I \\\ 6 COME VISIT US! MANIKAS RESTAURANT SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER Everyday Specials, featuring our Breakfast Special: Eggs, Potatoes, and a choice of Meat - All for $2.95 307 S. Main 7-9 Monday-Saturday 663-7449 10-8 Sunday It's worth the walk downtown!! Beer, liquor, and wine available. 305 S. Main A nTASY ATlTII C Theme Party Supplies Magic and Juggling Costumes and Accessories Wigs, Hats, Fun... , . ..__ 0 , 9' c o 41 IdV F , i111 04 ecome back, students. e arefully stocked with ne and used grand pianos, verticals, digital keyboards, rentals plus a big library of sheet music. Also, stop in and receive a free "back-to-school" gift! 665-2680 A short walk downtown from Main Campus i shop * eat * browse Main Street _ r,._. _- :. ..: _.._. st. _' _--- -- -____ 1 - mee 115 East Liberty Street Ann Arbor 48104 663-3381 It's only a few blocks away! p. W Iaslingon Ibt .-.... p.~iwTr I IWlillam -r f. .. s . - U' m~ *