The University Health Center tries every year to gauge the needs and concerns of its patients. One way it accomplishes that goal is through the Student Health Advisory Committee.
As it gears up for next year’s committee, the health center will accept applications for SHAC through May 1.
Weighing in on issues including the health center’s budget, services, policy and education efforts, SHAC also hosts discussions and events around campus to promote the health center and survey community needs.
On Tuesday the committee held its annual in-service training for health center staff on an issue of its choice. This year, SHAC brought in training on international health care perspectives in an effort to better serve the health center’s international student population.
The committee holds weekly meetings on Friday afternoons with several official voting members, several alternate non-voting members and a number of non-members who show up to offer their input on issues.
“We really do good things for the health center that not a lot of people know about,” said University junior Laura Ragsdale, an official member of SHAC.
Ragsdale wants to pursue a career as a physician after college, she said, and her time on SHAC has both allowed her to represent student concerns and shown her the administrative side of medicine.
At a university where no public health classes are offered, Health Promotion Director Paula Staight said, the committee can serve as great experience for students interested in medicine, health care and public policy.
Mike Eyster, director of the health center, said user feedback is crucial to a health care service provider, which is what SHAC aims to offer. In the search for new members, Eyster said a fuller representation of the student body would be a positive change.
“One of the barriers to health care is culture,” Eyster said. “We would very much welcome diversity on SHAC to help welcome a more varied spectrum. I would really encourage students of color and underrepresented students to apply.”
Applications for SHAC are available in room 276 of the health center. For more information, call Kim Barker, executive assistant to the health center director, at 346-4447.
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Health center seeks student advisers
Daily Emerald
April 14, 2009
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