FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HEALTH ISSUES

   Q. If my student becomes ill while on campus, what should I tell him or her to do?

     A. Tell him or her to go to Parsons Student Health Center located in Sutclliffe Hall across from the pool as      soon as possible. Physician clinics are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and Wednesday      8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Nursing services are available Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. In case of an after      hours emergency, direct students to call 911 or the Department of Public Safety at 859-236-4357.      Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center is located only two blocks from campus.

   Q. How can I contact Parsons Student Health Center, and who is available to help?

     A. Call them at 859-238-5530. You will probably speak to Marsha Edelen, their secretary. Kathy Jones,
     RN is the Director of Parsons Student Health Center. Amanda Goodwin is the Physician Assistant, and      Kathy Miles, LMFT, CADC is the Director of Counseling. They are available Monday-Friday during office      hours. The two physicians available during clinic hours are Dr. Brian Ellis and Dr. Jonathan Clark. If you      need to reach someone after office hours, contact the Department of Public Safety at 859-236-4357, and      they will contact the person on call for you.

   Q. What if my student needs to be seen by a doctor after clinic hours?

     A. There are two walk-in health care facilities in Danville: Bluegrass Immediate Care located at 478
     Whirl-A-Way Drive is open seven days a week (859-236-3208); and The Weekend Walk-in Clinic located      at 109 Daniel Drive is open on Saturdays and Sundays (859-239-6522). These clinics may provide faster      and less expensive service for non-emergencies than the emergency room.

   Q. What tips can I give my student about preventing the flu?

     A. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner      if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way.      Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder. Don't hold      or carry laundry close to your body or face, in order to avoid contamination. Wash hands with soap and      water after handling soiled laundry. Know the symptoms, which include fever, chills, cough or sore throat,      runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting. Don't spread the flu! If you are sick with      flu-like illness, see a medical professional immediately. Avoid contact with those experiencing flu-like      symptoms, and do not use other people's phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. For      more Centre information about H1N1, visit the following website:      http://www.centre.edu/emergency/swineflu.html.

   Q. How can I help my student be prepared if the flu does strike?

     A. Create a "flu box" for them. Include a thermometer, Ibuprofen, 2 can of chicken noodle soup, Saltines,      Gatorage or ginger ale, throat lozenges, tissues, and $40 in case their roommate or a friend needs to      refurbish supplies.

   Q. What other services are provided by Parsons Student Health Center?

     A. Allergy shots can be given at no charge. Students should bring their vials and dosage sheets when they      come to campus or have them sent directly to Parsons Student Health Center.

     Medications, diagnostic tests, and vaccinations are available for a reasonable cost. Payment may be      made at the time of service or charged to the student's account.

     A women's health clinic is offered twice monthly provided by the local health department. Exams,      contraceptives, testing for sexually transmitted infections, as well as other services are available. Most of      their services are free of charge.

     For students traveling abroad, certain vaccines and/or medications may be recommended or required for      a specific country. The accompanying professor will coordinate a travel clinic with Parsons in order for      students to obtain the vaccines and medications needed for travel.

   Q. If my student is experiencing a mental health problem, what help is available?

     A. Student counseling services for students experiencing mental health or substance abuse problems are      also located in Parsons Student Health Center. Two counselors are available to see students experiencing      such problems as stress and anxiety, depression, eating disorders, family and relationship problems,      grief/loss issues, and alcohol/drug abuse. Counseling to Centre students is free and confidential.      Appointments may be made by calling Kathy Miles, Director of Counseling, at 859-238-5470 or emailing      her at kathy.miles@centre.edu.

     Parsons medical staff members are available to prescribe some mental health medications; referrals for      other medications and psychiatric consults will be arranged with outside providers by the Director of      Counseling. Any off-campus mental health services to students are the financial responsibility of the      student and parents.

     Students are encouraged to have medications for ADD/ADHD prescribed by their family physician.

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