Student health care provider no longer Clinic

In September, the doctor was out. Judith Appleton's resignation after 20 years of service placed the College in prime position to revamp its student health plan.

After the College's contract with the Oberlin Clinic expired this year, Student Health was forced to find a new base of operations and a new health care provider, Collegiate Health Care (CHC).

For years students had been largely dissatisfied with Appleton's performance and the quality of student health care at Oberlin. Next year Oberlin students will arrive on campus to a transformed Student Health program.

An off-campus building, 319 West Lorain, was selected to house Student Health. Student Health is currently located in the Oberlin Clinic.

Student members of the Health Plan Board termed the new site deficient in one area: location. They requested that a shuttle service be made available to transport students to the new health center. In February Associate Dean of Student Life Ken Holmes, a member of the Board, said transportation would be provided for students.

College President Nancy Dye said, "It would be nice if we could put it on wheels and move it closer. You wouldn't think it would be so difficult to find a place for Student Health."

Holmes said, "It's a temporary place until we can assess CHC. We'll be there about three years, and if it's shorter, that's great."

"I think this is a very unfortunate situation we're in. It will limit access from walk-ins," Senior Dan Persky, a member of the board, said.

CHC will set up shop on July 1. By then, Student Health should be ready to move to its new location, which currently houses a psychological clinic and will require a few improvements, such as the installation of water faucets.

CHC's proposal offers the College three different levels of health care options. According to junior Meagan Willits, a member of the board, the College will most likely choose the second option, whose price estimate is currently $460,000. The College's total Student Health bill is currently around $430,000.

Option two's package includes a full-time physician and a full-time health education professional, among other staff members, an on-site pharmacy open 40 hours a week at which students can obtain over-the-counter and prescription medications at a below market cost, special facilities for Conservatory students with practice-related injuries and a 24-hour confidential helpline. A self-help center for students in need of cold or wound medications and an audio tape library for students to gather information on topics such as AIDS or mental health would also be available.

Students members said they were happy with the selection of CHC. Sophomore Kyo Dineso said, "We've felt positive about CHC from what we've heard."

Holmes agreed. "They try to meet the needs of the campus. Everybody is really satisfied with them."

One of the College's goals was to find a new health care provider which offered improved health services for fewer dollars. In the fall Vice President For Finance Andy Evans said, "The current system is enormously expensive, and I don't think we're getting the highest value."

Oberlin Health visits are financed by a fee students pay on their term bills, a system that should remain intact next year.

In the fall an outside consultant hired by the College drafted a 22-page request for proposal that was distributed to regional health care providers. Outlined in the request were the types of care, facilities and access, and other considerations that must be considered by potential health care providers.

The request also stated that the provider must have "ready acceptance of the diverse lifestyles of students which are a distinct part of this community."

CHC's proposal meets all of the mandatory guidelines the Board sent to organizations in October, including extended office hours, access to specialists and quality care for specific women's health issues.

In the fall Cole-Newkirk said, "Our goal is to make this new health plan as cost efficient as possible while still providing the best quality of care and education."