The Skyline College Student Health Center, which provides immediate care for students by employing nurse practitioners and physician assistants, offers a variety of medical tests and family planning tools.
The health center is located in Building 2, Room 2209. Students can make appointments or drop in to be seen by a nurse practitioner for health questions or concerns. Over-the-counter or refillable prescriptions can be written after an assessment has been completed, and students can refill them at their local pharmacies without the burden of visiting a doctor’s office or the emergency room.
Pamphlets and informative posters line the walls of the Student Health Center, giving students easy accessibility to information based on their needs. Students are welcomed by cheerful staff ready to answer questions or treat an existing condition. Students can also take advantage of immunizations at a reduced price and blood work at cost.
Insurance is not required when visiting the health center; in fact, most students the Student Health Center examines have no form of health insurance.
“Many of our students go without health insurance, and through the student health fee that each student pays a semester, they can access urgent care and other resources we provide,” said Jane Ernstthal, RN, FNP and nurse practitioner at the health center.
The health center and its recent affiliation with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte gives students access to contraceptives and tools necessary for family planning. Condoms, the Plan B morning after pill, STD testing and women’s health information is available to students, and representatives from Planned Parenthood can be found in the health center every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Family PACT, which refers to Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment, provides comprehensive family planning services to qualifying low-income California residents. Eligible residents are able to receive free pregnancy tests, confidential family planning, HIV and STD testing and limited cancer screening for men and women.
At this time, Family PACT is only accepted through Planned Parenthood at Skyline College, only allowing students one day a week to utilize the program. The health center is working toward being able to accept the Family PACT plan, making these services available for qualifying students all the time.
“We want to expand the Family PACT program and make it so students can just bring a card that is issued by Family PACT and we can take their card and issue them whatever family planning method they are in search for,” said Ernstthal. “What if a student needs a form of contraceptive on a Thursday? They will have to wait until the following Wednesday to receive what they need. We want to be able to give students what they need at whatever time they need it.”
With summer quickly approaching, students will still be able to visit the health center. Summer semester nurse hours were not available at press time, so students are advised to refer to the health center’s website for an updated schedule.
“Not having health insurance can be expensive for students, and we are here for our students and want students to know that they can come to the health center for help,” said Donna Elliott, office assistant at the health center. “We are excited to add more low-cost options for our students.”
Additional resources and referrals for medical care in San Mateo County are available for students who are graduating or transferring. Medical information based on the individual’s needs and economic status can be obtained through the health center. “There is so much to learn with health care, and it can be confusing for many students, especially for those who don’t have health insurance,” said Ernstthal. “We want to provide students with health services, but we also want to be able to guide them through the health care system.”
Students are encouraged to visit the Student Health Center for more information about the services.
“I have never been to the Student Health Center, but if I get sick now, I will definitely go,” said Alan McKenna, Skyline student. “I never really knew what the student health fee was for every semester.”
The health care system can be difficult to navigate, especially for those just beginning their college journey, but the Skyline College Student Health Center remains dedicated to giving these students the tools and information they need to continue a healthy life.
