Student Health Services Puts Students First Amid Pandemic

“I am so proud to be part of a team that is so committed to being here to serve and support our students.”

San Diego State University adopted virtual instruction and services more than one month ago, and while the campus may seem less crowded than usual, the university continues to provide the critical support students need and have become accustomed to.

Since January, Student Health Services (SHS) has been adjusting processes to adhere to the most updated guidance from county, state and federal authorities. As a result, SHS has limited its hours and instituted new protocols for visiting the Calpulli Center, but remains open to offer the medical support students may need.
“It is so important to us that we are able to be here and continue supporting the well-being needs of our students during these uncertain times,” said Libby Skiles, director of SHS. “We are also able to play an important role within the broader San Diego health care community by giving our students a place to get their care and reducing the impact on urgent care centers or other health care providers that were struggling to keep up with the volume of sick patients they were seeing.”

Kari Winter, an administrative support assistant for SHS, is often the first point of contact for students and parents who call the health center.

“There are students that weren’t able to go home,” said Winter. “These students must have somewhere to go and we are here for them if they need something.”

Winter takes note of callers’ needs, symptoms or questions and connects them with the correct person or helps to schedule an appointment. She said many students right now just need to be heard.

According to Winter, the number of calls regarding coronavirus concerns has decreased somewhat since the onset of the virus in San Diego County, but are still receiving calls from parents about immunization records and students looking to refill prescriptions.

Tessy Reese is a licensed vocational nurse in the immunizations department. She said she feels safe coming to work, and knows the work is important. Reese has been getting a lot of questions about requirements for students when classes resume on campus.

“I think it is important that SHS stays open so that we have the outlet to connect,” said Reese. “Even if it is phone or email, it is important to have that resource for students and parents because they do have a lot of questions and concerns right now and we want to be there to help.”

Vanelly Roark, a medical assistant, said she enjoys working with students and having the ability to continue doing the work she loves, even if it is altered.

“This helps keep some normalcy for them and myself,” said Roark. “I am proud to be able to help those students out.”

Like Roark, Skiles said she and her team are glad they are able to help the SDSU community through this unprecedented time.

“I am so proud to be part of a team that is so committed to being here to serve and support our students.”