Student Health Service - Undergraduate Students
McKenna Student Center, Lower Level
617.349.8222
617.349.8225 Fax
TBD, Director, Student Health Service
http://intranet.lesley.edu/health-services/
Our mission is to advance the health of our students in order to support their academic success and social growth at Lesley University. We are committed to primary prevention of illness, easy and equal access to services for all residential students, and to our role as advocates for a healthy campus community. Medical care is confidential, except as required by law, and records may only be released with the student’s written permission.
The Lesley University Student Health Service (SHS) offers basic primary health care services to all full-time undergraduate students of Lesley University, including Threshold. Enrollment in the SHS is automatic for undergraduate students living in University housing. SHS enrollment is optional for full-time undergraduate students living off-campus by completing the contract for optional service in the SHS and paying the non-refundable Student Health Service fee before the third week of each semester.
Health Forms SHS Health Forms include the Certificate of Immunization which is required by law for all full-time students and all students studying on a visa. Forms are available in your admissions “Welcome” packet, on our web site or by calling the SHS. Completion of the Certificate of Immunization is required before your arrival on campus. See below for detailed requirements.
Location The Student Health Service is located in the lower level of the Margaret McKenna Student Center on the Cambridge Doble campus. Service is confidential and includes professional services by nurse practitioners and a part-time supervising physician for illnesses, minor injuries and accidents, annual free “flu shots” and women’s and men’s health care. A psychiatric clinical nurse specialist is also available for psychopharmacology by referral from the SHS and the University Counselors for students who are also being followed in the LU Counseling Center.
Laboratory Testing The cost of laboratory tests (performed by Quest Diagnostics) and prescriptions ordered by SHS are the responsibility of the student and his or her health insurance. It does not matter what type of health insurance you have to use the SHS, but health insurance is required by law for all three-quarter or full-time students. A plan is available through the Student Accounts Office if you do not have other coverage.
Scheduling Appointments are available by calling 617.349.8222 between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday through Friday during the academic year (September through mid-May.) There are same day appointments reserved at the start of each day for urgent needs. For on-going medical conditions requiring prolonged follow-up, referral to local medical specialists can be arranged and the SHS can help coordinate specialist care.
After Hours and Emergency Care Emergency care and urgent after-hours problems are handled by local hospital emergency rooms and/or walk-in clinics, depending on the nature and severity of the concern. Students should have a working knowledge of their health insurance in order to utilize resources appropriately and should also have a copy of their insurance ID card with them at school. In a life-threatening emergency at any time, dial “911” to activate the emergency response system, and then call Public Safety at 617.349.8888 for assistance. Mount Auburn Hospital (617.492.3500) is located just 1.4 miles from campus. Cambridge Hospital (617.665.1000) is also located 1.5 miles from campus.
PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESYLES The Student Health Service also serves as a campus resource for health education and health counseling. Common topics include nutrition, weight issues, eating disorders, stress management, exercise, sleep, contraception, intimacy and personal safety. Smoking cessation appointments are offered and encouraged. Group discussions or presentations can be arranged by meeting with the Director of SHS or the nurse practitioner.
Immunization Requirements
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires a certificate of immunization for students attending college in the Commonwealth. The following immunizations are required by law for all full-time students and for all students attending the University while on a visa:
1) Two (2) doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine given at least one month apart beginning at, or after, 12 months of age; OR a dated positive laboratory blood test for all 3 diseases.
2) A booster of Tdap (REQUIRED) within the last ten years.
3) Varicella/Chicken pox - you must provide one of the following:
• Healthcare provider diagnosed disease with date, OR
• 2 doses of Varicella vaccine at least 4 weeks apart; OR
• a dated positive laboratory blood test.
4) Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B vaccine OR a dated positive laboratory blood test.
5) The Meningitis vaccine is required for all newly enrolled resident students living on campus. The vaccination must be within the last five years and you must provide one of the following:
• The date that you received the vaccine, signed by a nurse or physician, OR
• A signed waiver form stating that you have read the risks and choose not to receive this vaccine. The waiver form is available at: http://intranet.lesley.edu/health-services/immunization/
Please note that a history of having had any of the above diseases, except chicken pox, does not serve as proof of immunity. Students may be exempt from these requirements only for medical or true religious reasons.
All Lesley University undergraduate and Threshold students must submit a Certificate of Immunizations form, available at http://intranet.lesley.edu/health-services/immunization/, signed by a physician or nurse (not a parent) BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS. Deadline is June 1st, for students beginning in the fall, and January 1st for students entering in the spring semester. Undergraduate students should return their form to Student Health Service, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, fax: 617.349.8225, phone: 617.349.8222. Failure to complete the immunization requirements will cause an “immunization hold” on your account which will prevent registration for future semesters.