Spring 2024 Next Stop GW Special Edition - Your Health & Wellbeing While at GW

In a few months, you will be coming to GW for that next step on your college journey. For many of you this will be the first-time living away from home and navigating a new environment. And, as much as you and your family want you to stay healthy and well, we are the team that knows that it is common to become sick and need medical attention, or you may need assistance to help you focus on your mental health.

You may be thinking…what am I going to do when I get to campus and need care? I can't fly home to see my family doctor when I get the sniffles or get same day care for managing my anxiety. Don't worry, we are here to help and we encourage you to be active advocates regarding your health and well-being.

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

At GW's Student Health Center we offer a multidisciplinary, integrated, student healthcare service that provides confidential, student centered care in an accessible, safe, culturally sensitive, and supportive environment. You can visit our student-focused healthcare facilities located on both the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses.

• Medical Services: Our team of physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses provide primary care, gynecological care, preventive services, evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic medical issues and health education.
• Counseling and Psychological Services: Counselors provide a safe, non-judgmental and confidential environment (both in-person and virtual) for students to discuss concerns through a personalized stepped-care approach. Same day appointments are available Monday to Saturday from noon - 4 pm.
• Psychiatric Services: Assessment, diagnostic and treatment recommendations are provided by staff psychiatrists with referrals offered for long-term psychiatric management.

HEALTHCARE REQUIREMENTS

To help you prepare for your arrival to campus, we request that you complete these action items by the noted deadlines. Please note, you may need the assistance of a parent/guardian to complete some of these tasks.

1. Submit Mandatory Health Immunizations by January 4

• A District of Columbia Immunization Law requires that all enrolled students under the age of 26 provide proof of certain immunizations. The deadline for new students to submit immunization records is January 4. Download the Immunization Health Form (PDF) for your Primary Care provider to fill out and once completed by your provider, please submit the form to the student medical portal. Login using your GW UserID. Please be aware that if the required immunization records are not submitted to the Student Health Center, a hold will be placed on your account which will prevent registration for fall 2024.

2. Review GW's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Coverage

• All undergraduate students must have medical health insurance coverage while enrolled at GW. Students are automatically enrolled each academic year in the GW Student Health Insurance Plan provided by Aetna Student Health.
• If you are still covered by a parent's or guardian's employer coverage and want to continue using their health insurance plan instead of the GW Insurance Plan, you must waive out of GW's Student Health Insurance each year you are enrolled at GW. The waiver period for the spring semester for new students is Dec. 1, 2023 - Feb. 1, 2024. In December, you will receive an email from Aetna with instructions on how to waive/opt out for spring 2024.
• Before you waive out of GW's Student Health Insurance plan, we recommend that you spend time prior to arriving on campus with your parent/guardian to familiarize yourself with how their insurance coverage works outside of your geographic area (e.g., copays, deductibles, networks). This is especially important for international students as health care insurance from other countries may not be compatible with the U.S. healthcare system.

RAISE UP, GW: YOUR HEALTH, YOUR WELLNESS, YOUR WELLBEING

How you focused on your well-being in high school may be different when you get to college. You will create new routines as you get to know your new environment. To be well while you are at GW is to honor a dynamic process of change and growth.

These activities and services offered by some of our campus partners may help you prioritize you!

• Lerner Health & Wellness Center: a fitness center with a variety of cardio and strength training equipment, pool and indoor track.
• Signature Programs: From Chalk-in, to GW Late Night to the Final Lap, the university hosts a variety of activities throughout the year to help you unwind and de-stress.
• CARE Network: The CARE Team is a support system that connects students to resources through inter-departmental collaboration to provide them with appropriate and personalized care.

QUESTIONS? ASK US!

As you prepare for the spring semester, if you have any questions about the services we provide, please call us at 202-994-5300 during regular business hours: Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm. If you call us after-hours you will be connected to an on-call clinical care person and may be asked to call back during business hours.

Another way to reach us is via email at [email protected] . A member of our team will respond within 2 business days for non-urgent queries.

May you continue to be healthy and well!

GW's Student Health Center Team