Tune in to today’s SGA roundup to learn about Barnard Health Services!

Happy Wednesday!

I hope class registration went well for everyone except those enrolled in Human Rights of Public Health. Please drop that class if you’re enrolled or on the waitlist. I want it, thanks! Regardless, I’m here with Monday’s SGA coverage, talking with Barnard’s Health Services department. Also, if you’re free on Earth Day, make sure to check out the festival on Futter Field and grab some fun stuff!

Starting with the presentations: MJ Murphy is the executive director of Student Health and has worked at Barnard for ten years. The student health center has three main sectors: Well-Woman, Furman, and primary care. Urgent Care is housed in Reid 122 and gives physical exams, STI screenings, immunizations, and more, while Well-Woman care is in the lower level of Brooks Hall. There are also a few trans-care options to ensure gender-affirming care is provided. However, due to COVID, they’ve had to transition to an appointment-based system where walk-ins are not allowed, though telehealth appointments are growing in frequency.

Regarding staffing at Primary Care Health Services (PCHS), there are two full-time nurse practitioners, but there’s also an active search for a medical director and a full-time physician. Additionally, the staff is committed to finding accessible hormone care and ensuring that diverse populations have the resources they need. The Fund at PCHS covers co-pays, hospital fees, and medical and dental care through Access Barnard or directly from PCHS. However, treatment often is expensive, and due to limited funds, evaluations are helpful for evaluating need and urgency.

The Furman counseling center has been working since 2003, and over 65% of seniors have used Furman this past year. Furman offers a variety of support groups, specialties, and interests and helps with mental health resources. Well-Woman, on the other hand, acts as a wellness library where students can take a break in a comfy space with massage chairs, crafts, and more.

Finally, the new health and wellness office encompasses many aspects of health and wellness. LeFrak collaborates with all the offices with overarching principles, and it is run by Dr. Marina Catallozzi, a faculty member at the Mailman School of Public Health.

With that, I’ll be signing off for this Wednesday evening! Have a great last week of sanity!

SGA banner via Ava Morouse