Health Services

The Student Health Clinic offers the following services:

General medical care
Routine health exams
Injury evaluations
Immunizations
Psychiatric services
Travel consultations
Allergy injections
Lab testing
Sexual Transmitted Disease (STD) testing
Eating disorders management
Gynecology/sexual health services

The Student Health Clinic does not provide ongoing management of chronic illnesses. The Student Health Clinic healthcare providers will assist with arrangements for coordination of care for chronic illnesses.

More Info About Services

Appropriate treatment for acute illnesses and injuries, including communication with primary care/specialists, as needed
Full lab services to complete ordered routine and follow up blood draws before your appointment with your primary care provider/specialists.
Diagnostic assessments and testing for many chronic illnesses. If needed, referrals will be made for further treatment and management of chronic diseases.
Free sharps containers and sharps disposal
Evaluation of diabetes risk or diagnose diabetes. Newly diagnosed diabetic patients are referred to a specialist either in the Cedar Valley or their hometown depending on student’s preference.
Nurse-on-call service is available after clinic hours, weekends and holidays for medical advice by dialing 319-272-2600.

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Resource Nurse

The resource nurse helps patients to determine the appropriate care of health problems through phone at 319-273-5161 or in-person visits. Nurse appointments are available for a variety of health-related issues including pregnancy testing, travel consultations & vaccinations, allergy injections and updating immunizations.

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Referral to a Medical Specialist

If your condition requires referral to a specialist, the Student Health Clinic health care providers will assist you with making those arrangements.

Students are responsible for:

Contacting their insurance to see if the medical specialist or health facility is participating with their health insurance company.
Bringing copies of their health insurance cards to their appointment as well as personal identification (such as UNI ID or driver’s license).
Fees charged by a specialist are independent of the Student Health Clinic. If you have specific questions related to the cost of the visit, you should check with your health insurance company.

Services Offered

Allergy Injections

If a students needs to receive allergy injections, we are here to help. You may receive them at the Student Health Clinic by appointment. It is the student's responsibility to receive allergy injection(s) as scheduled by your allergist. Below is information you need to know.

Allergy medication injections (shots) are administered at the Student Health Clinic.
Call 319-273-2009 to schedule an appointment. Allow about 45 minutes for your visit.
After receiving your injection(s), you'll need to remain in the Student Health Clinic for 30 minutes. A nurse will check your injection site(s) before you leave.
Always inform the nurse of any concerns or reactions from previous injections.
Inform the nurse if you are not feeling well the day of your scheduled injection or if you are taking any new medications.

Allergy serum can be mailed to:

Student Health Clinic
1227 W 27th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0221

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not necessarily about food, but food is the tool that people with eating disorders abuse. Eating disorders have both physical and psychological symptoms. They are characterized by abnormal attitudes and feelings about food, weight and body shape, an extreme disruption in eating behaviors and weight management, and intense anxiety about body weight and size.

University of Northern Iowa offers evaluation and treatment for eating disorders. Students with eating disorders may receive assistance through self-referral, by referral from a friend or parent, or by referral from another campus professional. Students can receive coordinated care that includes medical evaluation, psychological evaluation, nutritional and lifestyle counseling and women's clinic services.

Lab Testing

Lab

The Student Health Clinic has a moderately complex lab that is staffed by certified Medical Technologists and is fully accredited by the nationally recognized Commission of Office Laboratory Assessment (COLA).

The Student Health Clinic Lab offers a variety of laboratory tests. All laboratory tests must be ordered by a medical provider. Laboratory orders are accepted from referring medical providers and lab results can be sent to the referring physician.

‌Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing

The Student Health Clinic offers a variety of confidential sexually-transmitted infection testing. There will be a charge for STI test. These charges can be sent to your health insurance company or to a students u-bill.

We offer the following STI tests:

Syphilis
Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) in women
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes when symptoms are present
HIV

Pregnancy Guidance

Psychiatric Services

The Student Health Clinic provides services related to psychiatric evaluation and medication management under the direction of a psychiatric provider. A liaison exists with the University of Northern Iowa’s Counseling Center for additional mental health/behavioral health services.

Treatment is client-centered, focusing on individual needs and concerns in the context of our clients' lives outside the treatment setting.
Treatment recommendations are based on holistic healthcare. We consider all aspects of well-being when developing an individualized treatment plan, while maximizing client autonomy and choices.
Treatment includes multiple modalities as needed such as psychotherapy, crisis management, medications, environmental support and mobilization of community resources.

The University of Northern Iowa Student Health Clinic offers psychiatric services to currently enrolled students. Our psychiatric providers include: Abdur Rahim, M.D., Andrew Batovsky, ARNP and Jennifer Jass, DNP, ARNP

Before a student schedules an appointment they will speak with the Student Health Center Mental Health Case Manager, Cathryn Baumgartner. She will provide information on what to expect during your appointment and with which provider you will be scheduled.

The Student Health Clinic charges for psychiatric services and will file a claim to your health insurance company if you provide us with your information. The initial evaluation may be up to $250 and subsequent follow-up visits between $100-$200. Any balance due after insurance has been filed will be charged to your U-bill. If you have questions about your health insurance coverage please call the customer service phone number listed on your insurance card for further clarification.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to transfer my psychiatric care to the SHC from a different doctor.

If you wish to transfer your care to the Student Health Clinic, we will need copies of your mental health records sent to the Student Health Clinic prior to your first visit for the psychiatric provider to review. A consent form is available on our forms page.

For patients currently on ADD/ADHD medications, certain criteria must be met before a Student Health Clinic medical provider will prescribe these medications. There is no guarantee that the same treatment will be continued. Patients have the option of continuing to receive their medication from their previous medical provider, either in person when visiting home or thru the mail system. If a patient wishes to have care transferred to the UNI Student Health Clinic, the following steps must be taken:

Send a request for records to your previous medical provider and psychologist for copies of your formal psychological and educational testing within the past 3 years confirming your ADD/ADHD diagnosis and copies of your medication records. These records should be sent/faxed 319-273-7030 to the UNI Student Health Clinic for review. The request for medical records form can be obtained in person at the UNI Student Health Clinic.
Make sure you have a sufficient supply of your medication from your previous medical provider to allow for time needed for your records to arrive and be reviewed by a UNI Student Health Clinic medical provider.
After 3 – 4 weeks of sending the request for records, call the UNI Student Health Clinic at 319-273-2009 to confirm that the records were received and reviewed. If appropriate, an appointment will then be made with a UNI Student Health Clinic medical provider.

The UNI Student Health Clinic medical provider may request certain medical/lab exams for safety monitoring.

Will I be charged a no show fee if I do not call to cancel a scheduled appointment?

Yes, if you are unable to make your appointment you need to call 319-273-2009 to reschedule. If you fail to cancel prior to your scheduled appointment you will be assessed a $45 no show fee to your U-bill.

Are there counseling services available on campus?

Yes, students can make an appointment to see a mental health counselor at the Counseling Center by calling 319-273-2676.

Resources for emergency and/or after-hours assistance

UNI Public Safety Office:
Campus Emergency 319-273-4000 or 911

MercyOne Patient Engagement Nurse On Call:
319-272-2600

Black Hawk Grundy County Mental Health Center:
319-234-2893

MercyOne Cedar Falls Emergency:
515 College Street, Cedar Falls, IA
319-268-3000

Unity Point Waterloo Emergency:
1825 Logan Avenue, Waterloo, IA
319-235-3697

MercyOne Waterloo Emergency:
3421 W. 9th Street, Waterloo, IA
319-272-7050

National Suicide Hotlines:
National Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255 LifeLine Chat

Online Screening

ULifeline offers students a mental health screening tool, information about mental health issues geared towards you, and resources for learning more and getting help.

Mental Health Services & Resources

Information on campus and community mental health services and resources

Travel Consultation

The University of Northern Iowa Student Health Clinic offers travel consultations for students, faculty and staff. It is essential that you request your travel consultation as soon as you have a complete itinerary (including flights/layovers). Appointments will be scheduled four-eight weeks prior to departure. During your consultation, recommended/required vaccines, other medications possibly needed for travel, as well as health/safety information about your destination/s, will be discussed. Several vaccines are given as a series and can take several weeks and/or months to complete. Planning early will allow you to avoid possible appointment waiting lists and potential vaccine/medication shortages. Please review the UNI Student Health Clinic International Travel Health Checklist.

The University of Northern Iowa Student Health Clinic will try to accommodate all students, faculty, and staff, but at peak times it may take up to six weeks to get an appointment.

Mandatory information required prior to your appointment:

1. Prior to requesting your appointment, you must have a complete travel itinerary (including flights and layovers).

2. Complete a Request for Travel Consultation form and turn into the clinic with a COMPLETE immunization record. A registered nurse will review this form and you will be contacted via email to schedule your appointment. No appointments will be scheduled without a completed request.

3. Bring your health insurance card with you to your appointment. See below for possible fees.

Travel Consultation Fees

Requests for travel consultations will be reviewed and a determination made on the level of travel consultation required for your trip. Travelers to low risk countries with up-to-date immunizations may not require a in-clinic consultation. When you are contacted by the travel health nurse to schedule your appointment they will inform you of the cost and length of appointment for your consultation visit. Travel consultations are not included in the mandatory student health fee. Students not enrolled in summer classes may request a travel consultation during the summer months. Students traveling in the fall for university programs that are not taking classes on campus fall semester may request a travel consultation during the summer.

You will be billed for vaccines and/or travel medications. Fees for vaccines/immunizations and medication will vary. It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company prior to your travel consultation to determine coverage for these services. Keep in mind that different insurance plans cover different services and you will be responsible for any unpaid charges. The Student Health Clinic will file a claim for students, faculty, and staff to their health insurance company. For any unpaid charges, UNI students may charge this to their U-bill account. Faculty and staff may have their travel consultation and immunizations payroll deducted.

Travel Immunizations & Medications Offered at SHC

Hepatitis B
Typhoid fever oral (as available)/injectable
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis [whooping cough](Tdap)
Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td)
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Yellow Fever
TB skin testing
Malaria prevention medication prescription
Medication for motion sickness and traveler's diarrhea

After Your Trip

Travel-related illness can occur weeks to months after you return.

If after you return from your trip and you experience any health problems, contact a medical provider. Make sure your provider knows you have been outside of the U.S. in the last 12 months. Students may make an appointment at the University of Northern Iowa Student Health Clinic. Faculty and staff should contact their own medical provider.

You should make a post travel appointment to see your health care provider if you were told to have a tuberculosis skin test three months after you return.

Questions can be directed to:

Michele Gerdes RN, MSN, UNI Student Health Clinic at 319-273-5161 or michele.gerdes@uni.edu

Gynecology/Sexual Health Services

Staying healthy is an important part of college life. Having a regular gynecological exam is an essential aspect of responsible and preventative health care. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends yearly chlamydia screening for sexually active women under the age of 25. The CDC also recommends that women between the ages of 11 and 26 be vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Contraceptive counseling and period management are common topics of discussion in the college age group. The Student Health Clinic providers can discuss all available options with patients. Prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives (pill, patch, ring), placement and removal of Nexplanon, and Depo injections are available at the Student Health Clinic.

The Student Health Clinic offers a variety of programs specifically on women's health care needs.

The Student Health Clinic offers annual gynecological exams and educational information regarding women's health concerns including:

Breast exams
Pap smears and routine pelvic exams
Vaginal concerns
Urinary Tract Infections
Pregnancy testing and referrals
Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of STD's and vaginitis
Evaluation and treatment of women's health concerns
Contraceptive counseling, prescription, and management
HPV vaccinations

Health Information Resources

These web links contain health information and should not be interpreted as personal medical advice. If you would like to learn more or are concerned about your own health issues, please call 319-273-5161 to speak with the Student Health Clinic resource nurse.