Changes at Health Center give students expanded access

Pittsburg State University students now have expanded access to medical care, pharmacy, and behavioral health services on campus and in the region, thanks to a partnership with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.

CHC/SEK operates the Bryant Student Health Center, located at 1801 S. Broadway on the Pitt State campus. The clinic extended its hours to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the summer.  

Appointments and care 

Pitt State students, as well as faculty and staff and their family members, can call, walk in, or make appointments to get medical care and/or mental health services.  

They also can receive care at any of CHC/SEK’s 15 locations across the region — six of which are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week — including two in Pittsburg. A medical provider is on call whenever clinics are closed. 

Patients will have access to their charts online through Healow, where they can view test results, medications, and other aspects of their health and wellness. 

The Bryant Student Health Center phone number, 620-235-4452, is answered from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.  

Insurance and discounts 

At the center, as well as at all other CHC/SEK locations, all insurances are accepted including Medicaid. Discounted services are available for those meeting financial guidelines.  

Health pharmacy

Prescription medicines & immunizations 

A limited number of prescription medicines are available; all other medications may be obtained at any of CHC/SEK’s six Apothecare pharmacies or the pharmacy of the patient’s choice.  

CHC/SEK has access to discounted medicines through the federal 340B drug program, which makes them affordable to all. Free delivery is available. 

Most immunizations are available — especially those geared toward young adults — on a walk-in basis whenever the clinic is open. Allergy injections also are available. 

Health center food

The Gorilla Pantry 

The Gorilla Pantry, previously located in the Campus Activities office in the Overman Student Center, is accessible whenever the clinic is open. It provides free access to food staples to students, as well as to faculty and staff in need. Those staples are supplemented by CHC/SEK’s food programs as needed.  

Campus Advocate 

CHC/SEK employs a full-time Wellness Education and Advocacy Services Coordinator, Taylor Panczer, to help students with issues such as stress management, sexual health and STI prevention, alcohol awareness, and victim advocacy in partnership with Safehouse Crisis Center. 

Panczer works closely with Brooke Powell, executive director of Safehouse Crisis Center, to ensure a certified advocate is dispatched quickly to campus when Panczer calls. The team of certified advocates is based in Pittsburg, so help can be immediate.

Panczer also works closely with Jamie Thayer and University Police & Public Safety to promote services available for survivors, working seamlessly and quickly to ensure the process is consistent and immediate.

If survivors choose therapy, Panczer acts as a liaison to behavioral health specialists based at the health center.

Behavioral Health 

CHC/SEK employs three full-time behavioral health providers, Trent Becker, Morgan Cristy, and Sally Pullman-Rinkel, who provide a range of services including individual therapy for anxiety, depression, homesickness, and trauma, as well as couples therapy and psychological assessments. 

A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner also is available. 

Transportation

Transportation is available through CHC/SEK’s CareVan transportation service, which can be reached at 833-228-7433.

Health BP

Impact 

“I’m excited for the extended hours, which will make it much easier for students to get care on weekends and later in the day,” said Anna Thompson, a rising senior in Social Work.  

“I also really appreciate the mental health services we’re going to have access to — that will be really beneficial. Our health center was great, but now there’s even more. Moving the pantry over is also very nice because it will be more visible.” 

Pitt State President Dan Shipp said it’s a university priority to provide students greater access to physical and mental health care so that they can have a better overall college experience and stay on track to achieve their goals. 

“We’re excited about what this means for Pitt State and the health of our region,” said Shipp.