Health Services

A note from Health Services...

Our primary client is you, the Austin College student. It is not our intention to replace your primary physician but to serve as a substitute at times when you may become ill. We want to help you understand some of those health hazards, how to avoid them, and, when necessary, how to treat and care for yourself.

Health Services strives to foster relationships, which will contribute to an atmosphere of mutual respect and assist you in your personal growth and wellness. We want you to have a healthy and productive career at Austin College. Good health is important to ensure that success. We look forward to getting to know each of you!

Melissa Bressler
RN, BSN, Director of Health Services

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For Emergencies

For all urgent medical needs and emergencies, call Campus Police at 903-813-2555. They will respond and call 911 if indicated. If the call occurs during normal business hours, the campus nurse will also respond. The closest emergency rooms are Wilson N. Jones Hospital and Texoma Medical Center.

Check with your RA BEFORE going to the Emergency Room!

Hours of Operation

Austin College Health Services is located in the Adams Center and is open for walk-in care Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm.

After Hours Care

For non-emergent medical care after normal business hours, please visit a local urgent care center.

Clinics

Monthly clinics are offered covering general health, dermatology, and women’s health. These clinics are staffed by MD or Nurse Practitioner and are designated as walk-in clinics for minor illness or injury.

*Long-term chronic illness care must be done with your primary care physician.

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Immunizations

For more information, visit PublicHealth.org

State of Texas laws requires Meningitis (MCV4) Vaccination 10 days prior to arrival on campus for all new and transfer students. Failure to provide documentation of the vaccine upon arrival can exclude you from moving in and participation in classes/intercollegiate athletics/activities.

Required immunizations included on your health forms are:

Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine within the past five years if under 22 years of age
Tdap within last 10 years
Record of two doses of MMR
Record of last booster of Polio
Record of Varicella vaccine (two doses) or date of disease
TB skin test or chest x-ray within last year (BCG is not acceptable)*
Record of two doses of Hepatitis A
Record of three doses of Hepatitis B

*Only required if TB Questionnaire results are high risk; low risk results do not require TB testing

Recommended immunizations include:

Meningitis B (MenB)
Human Papilloma virus series of three shots

It is best to get your immunizations at your family physician’s office and send health records by the July 1 deadline. Immunizations are an important part of keeping the Austin College community healthy. We request documentation of immunization be provided prior to the start of classes. We will notify students of missing information and request the documentation, as well as alert them to the possibility of penalty fines. If the student fails to submit documentation of required immunizations, penalty fines may be generated weekly after the start of the semester.

Conscientious Objection form
New students and transfer students must use the official Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) form. The DSHS form may be ordered electronically. It is then mailed from DSHS to the student, and it may take up to two weeks to receive the form. The DSHS form must be completed, notarized, and provided to the designated school official at the institution the student will attend. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the DSHS form and have it notarized. See information about requesting the DSHS affidavit form.

Call 903.813.2247 or email Health Services if you have any questions.

Seasonal Flu Shots

Seasonal Flu Shots will be provided on campus by Albertsons Pharmacy on select dates to be announced. A virtual sign up will be posted here in September with a link to upload your insurance information for payment.

Health Forms

Welcome to Austin College! These health forms are both required and time-sensitive. Failure to complete the required information could affect your ability to move into your residence hall, participate in on-campus activities, or attend class. However, we are always happy to answer questions and help in any way possible. Please feel free to contact us for more information regarding Health Services by calling 903.813.2247 or email Health Services.

The following items in your Student Health Portal must be returned by July 1. Log on using your AC username and password.

Personal and Family History Form
Physical Examination Form
Immunization Record
Mental Health History Form
Authorization Form
TB Questionnaire

**STUDENT-ATHLETES*:

You are encouraged to carefully check your family’s insurance policy. If it does not cover intercollegiate athletics, it is recommended that you purchase the student insurance plan underwritten by Wellfleet Group, LLC.

Athletes are not permitted to participate in their team’s activities prior to submission of all the required forms. From June 1 through August 1, please contact Sheila Smith or call 903.813.2499, if you have any questions. After August 1, contact the athletic trainer or call 903.813.2514 if you have any questions. Physical exam forms specifically for athletics may be accessed from the list of forms below. Note athletes are not required to submit both the physician physical exam from the health packet and the one specific for athletes. Athletes may submit only the Pre-participation Physical Evaluation for both health services and athletics.

All other questions regarding your health packet can be answered by calling Adams Center at 903.813.2247 or emailing health@austincollege.edu.

Meningitis Texas State Law
Pre-participation Physical Evaluation (athletic physical exam)

Student Insurance Requirements

Austin College requires all enrolled students to have valid health insurance. All students are automatically enrolled in the student health plan sponsored by Austin College unless they waive enrollment by submitting proof of current insurance.

To waive the AC sponsored insurance plan you must go online and complete the online waiver form with your current insurance information.
Austin College has partnered with Academic Health Plans to provide coverage for those who have no health insurance or no coverage for the Sherman area. All students must either waive or enroll in the plan each academic school year.

To log in to either waive or signup, the log in ID is the student’s AC ID with one leading zero so that it’s seven digits (i.e., 0123456); password is date of birth in format mmddyyyy.

This policy will cover you for most illnesses through Adams Center Health Clinic as well as a large PPO network.

Academic Health Plans, 2024-2025 Insurance Highlights Flyer (all students) and PA Student Insurance Highlights Flyer are available in PDF format. For additional information, please call Academic Health Plans at 855.370.7215. All students are enrolled in the plan unless they waive out. The annual premium of $2,567.00 will be added to tuition billing unless you go online and complete the “Online Waiver Form.” This form will allow you to enter in your current insurance information for verification and proof of current insurance and remove the charge from your account. (Please see Instructions for Online Waiver/Enroll for Insurance.) The cost will be prorated if you are entering in January or February.

Student Athletes: You are encouraged to carefully check your family’s insurance policy. If it does not cover intercollegiate athletics, it is recommended that you purchase the student insurance plan.

Athletes are not permitted to participate in their team’s activities prior to submission of all the required forms. Please contact Sheila Smith at 903.813.2499, if you have any questions.