Greetings from the Staff of the Health and Counseling Centers!  We would like to personally welcome you to Muhlenberg College and acquaint you with the facilities that are available at the Muhlenberg College Health and Counseling Centers.  The Health Center is located on the first floor of the Life Sports Center; the Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Life Sports Center.  The centers provide primary physical and mental health care services with the goal of maintaining optimal health while you pursue your academic responsibilities. 

Licensed physicians, nurses, and psychotherapists, who have extensive experience in college health, work in the Health and Counseling Centers.  The centers are operational Monday through Friday with regularly scheduled hours that are posted at the entrance to the centers.  A nurse and psychotherapist are on-call and available for consultation on a twenty-four hour basis during the Fall and Spring semesters for emergencies.

In preparation for your arrival on campus, the following information is required of all students prior to moving into the residence facilities.  Please submit all requested information and forms to the Health Center.  The medical form is due prior to June 25, 2007.

1. You must have a completed Medical History, Physical Examination and Physician Validated Immunization Record. The Immunization Policy, which is in compliance with the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, is located within the health form.  Please be certain that all requirements outlined within the physician portion of the medical form are completed prior to returning forms.  Incomplete forms will be returned.  The information contained in your medical record is considered confidential. Information contained in your medical record will not be disclosed to anyone, including parents, without your knowledge and consent, once you attain 18 years.  As per Pennsylvania law, information regarding your mental health will not be disclosed after the age of 14 years.

2. Health Insurance is an important issue to consider prior to admission to the college.  It is strongly recommended that all students carry some form of health insurance.  Please include copies of Health Insurance and Prescription Cards (front and back sides), as this will be helpful in coordinating care outside the college setting.  Students assume the cost of healthcare not provided by the health center.  These include radiology & laboratory services (such as blood work and all cultures) and any outside health care provider evaluations. It is your responsibility to maintain current insurance information at the Health Center throughout your college career. It is also your responsibility to understand your health insurance plan (such as referral information, laboratory information, and in-network providers within the Allentown area).  Information regarding acquisition of Student Health Insurance will be available from the Health Center representatives at the time of June Advising.  Muhlenberg College does provide a limited ACCIDENT insurance policy for all full-time students.  This insurance will compliment your primary health insurance coverage and does not provide any payment for illnesses.

3. A CONSENT FOR TREATMENT for medical care must be signed by each student.  Parents must also, in advance, sign the consent form if you are under the age of 18 years for medical issues.  A consent for psychotherapy will be signed by only the student at the time counseling services are initiated.
   

4. Students with disabilities who request accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services are encouraged to identify these needs to the Office of Disability Services as soon as possible after their application to the College has been accepted.  Submission of the Disability Disclosure Document, along with current detailed documentation of the student’s disability, is required in order to process requests.  Please refer to the Muhlenberg College Office of Disability Services website for the Disability Disclosure Document.  The office of Disability Services is located in Seegers Union and their telephone number is 484-664-3825.
   
   
5. In an effort to consider all of our students’ needs, students who require special housing consideration for healthcare, mobility, or mental health needs must submit the appropriate documentation, including the “Special Needs Housing Application” (available on the Muhlenberg College Office of Residential Services website), by June 05, 2007.  Please submit documentation for mental health/psychiatric health needs to the Counseling Center; please submit documentation for medical health needs to the Health Center.  Special requests are considered based on the acuity and severity of the need.  Submission of a special housing request does not guarantee that request will be met.

Please have the forms completed and returned at the time of June Advising, at which time you will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from the Health and Counseling Centers.  If you are unable to have the medical examination completed by that date, it is required that the medical form be completed prior to June 25, 2007.  FAILURE TO HAVE A COMPLETED MEDICAL HISTORY AND IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE WILL PREVENT YOU FROM MOVING INTO THE RESIDENCE HALL.

Please feel free to contact the Health Center at (484) 664-3199 or the Counseling Center at (484) 664-3178 should you have any questions or concerns.  You may also visit our websites at www.muhlenberg.edu for additional information.  We wish you much success in your educational experience as you join the Muhlenberg College Community.  We look forward to the opportunity to meet you.

Sincerely,
Brynnmarie Dorsey, MSN, CRNP
Director of Health Services 

Anita Kelly, MA, CAC, LPC
Director of Counseling Services