ANNOUNCEMENTS
FREE FLU VACCINE FOR STUDENTS
- Sept 25, 2008 -
The SHSU Student Health Center will administer the influenza vaccine at no charge to students on Wednesday, October 8th, and Thursday, October 9th, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the LSC atrium. Students must present their Sam ID card prior to receiving the vaccine. Supplies are limited and the vaccine will be administered on a first come-first serve basis. The vaccine will not be administered to any person 17 years or younger, pregnant, or nursing.
In order to speed the administration of the vaccine, students are asked to come prepared with sleeves that can be easily adjusted to expose their shoulder. There will be an area to disrobe with privacy screens, but an easily accessible injection site will make the process faster and more comfortable.
Influenza, also called flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
“In addition to the flu vaccine, the most essential things students can do to avoid the spread of flu is to consistently wash their hands, avoid rubbing their noses, eyes and mouths, and continue a healthy lifestyle,” said Sarah Hanel, Programming Coordinator for the Student Health Center.
"With approaching exams and deadlines, students’ stress levels become escalated," Hanel said. "It is important to effectively cope with stress because high levels can weaken the immune system and increase a person’s susceptibility to illness."
In the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and roughly 36,000 people die from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body. Despite commonly believed myths, a person cannot contract the flu from the flu vaccine.
“The Student Health Center’s mission is prevention and education," Hanel said. "Our goal is to minimize the spread of the flu on campus and keep students healthy and in class. The only cost to students wanting the vaccine is their time spent waiting in line."
For more information about the influenza vaccine or the administration process, visit www.shsu.edu/healthcenter or call 936.294.1805.
Health Center Pharmacy Services Temporarily Unavailable
- August 20, 2008 -
The Health Center's pharmacy services are temporarily unavailable due to the resignation of our pharmacist. We are working to fill the position as soon as possible in order to restore on-campus access to affordable prescription medications. Meanwhile, McNease Drugs has agreed to match our prices for most prescription medications excluding contraceptives.
McNease Drugs is located at 103 Medical Park Lane behind Huntsville Memorial Hospital. They can be reached by phone at (936) 293-8333.
Programming Coordinator Brings Holistic Perspective
- August 1, 2008 -
Sarah Hanel began her employment as the Health Center's Programming Coordinator on July 16, 2008. In addition to her Master's degree from TAMU's School of Rural Public Health and experience as a patient educator at Scott & White Clinic, Ms. Hanel brings a holistic perspective to the Student Health Center's programming efforts.
"The challenge for students is to consider that health and wellness is not just about the physical component, it is about our experiences and the daily decisions we make. My goal is to help students understand that the decisions they make today shape tomorrow", stated Hanel.
Ms. Hanel can be reached at 294-4347 or sbh007@shsu.edu.
Student Health Center Achieves Accreditation
- January 5, 2007 -
The Sam Houston State University Health Center has
achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association
for Ambulatory Care (AAAHC) according to Keith Lott,
Director of the Health Center. Approximately three years
after deciding to pursue accreditation, the Health Center
scheduled an on-site survey that was conducted this
September. During the survey process, the department's
performance in 24 broad categories including Quality
of Care, Quality Improvement, and Administration were
measured against rigorous and nationally recognized
standards. On January 5, 2007, the Health Center was
notified that it was awarded the highest degree of accreditation
for a three year term.
"This achievement is an important milestone in the
growth of our department that has taken place over the
past six years. Such an accomplishment is not the result
of one person's efforts or simplistic tasks completed
over a short period of time. This accomplishment is
a result of a sustained group effort effecting significant
improvement in our department's operation. The favorable
comparison of our departmental operations against the
rigorous standards of a nationally recognized entity
provides formal confirmation that our department has
achieved excellence. Accreditation is a tangible indicator
of how far we have come over the past six years," said
Lott.
Upon notifying the Health Center of the accreditation
decision, Roy Grekin, MD, the Accreditation Association
President, commented, "Achieving accreditation demands
a high level of dedication and effort. The SHSU Student
Health Center is to be commended for this accomplishment."
Sam Houston State University joins the elite company
of only four other public universities in Texas that
have accredited health centers. Those universities include
Texas A&M University, Texas State University, University
of Texas, and University of Texas-Pan American . More
information regarding accreditation and AAAHC can be
found at www.aaahc.org.
|
