Eastern Michigan University’s Board of Regents discussed the upcoming opening of the new IHA Health Center @ EMU at their October meeting. The new health center is a collaboration between the university, St. Joseph Mercy Health System and IHA.
The community health center will offer extensive services including 7 day a week Urgent Care, online appointment scheduling and a “save your spot” tool.
All services offered
- Comprehensive primary care services (including a range of acute, chronic and preventative care)
- 7-day-a-week urgent care services
- Electronic medical record capabilities
- Online appointment scheduling
- A tool to manage urgent care arrival and wait times
- A campus pharmacy operated independently
- Laboratory services
Ellen Gold, dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, presented an update of the center’s progress before the regents and the president.
"Having a new health center, a new behavioral health center [and] working towards collaboration with our community partners . . . fits into our strategic plan that focuses on promoting student engagement and success,“ said Gold. “And what better way them to give the appropriate support services in a quality manner with our partners.”
Gold explained the health center will be for the community and is a convenient location for EMU students. IHA met with members of Student Government and international students to make sure the buildings best accommodate their interests and ensure a smooth transition between facilities.
“In August alone, we had 15 different kinds of meetings,“ Gold said. "In September, we had 14 . . . ranging from workers compensation to medical records. We had our student leaders come in to meet with IHA to indicate what their needs are and what they are looking for in a new facility and services to them.”
Student Body President Ethan Smith echoed Gold’s statement.
“We [EMU Student Government leaders] wrote out a list of questions about ‘are these things going to be continued’ and we . . . had a very production conversation," said Smith. “They seem like engaged partners that really want to do what’s good for the community.“
Jason Harris, IHA vice-president of development and planning, continued with the presentation.
“There has been a lot of meetings and interactions, and that will continue," said Harris. "This has planned to be a joint operation and we are committed to serving students, faculty and staff, in addition to the community on campus.”
Most of the staff previously employed at Snow Health Center have left, according to EMU President James Smith.
“There is a very small staff left,“ said Smith. “St. Joe has encouraged all the employees to apply.”
Smith went on to say that St. Joe's felt comfortable saying there would be enough jobs open if those staff members applied. Walter Kraft, vice-president for EMU communications, said the amount of staff that left were described as a “hand-full of people."
All of the staff employed at CAPS and Psychological Clinic will be staffed by EMU employees, according to Kraft.
The future of Snow Health Center is uncertain, with the likelihood that it will be torn down and transformed into green space, according to Smith.
The new health center was first discussed at the Jan. 2018 EMU Board of Regents meeting. An open house will take place Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the facilities first day of service will be Nov. 4.
