For Parents
Confidentiality
If your son or daughter has reached the age of 18, their medical information is confidential. Breaking this confidentiality and releasing information to parents without permission is breaking the law. Confidentiality is an important first step for young adults to begin taking responsibility for their own health care.
An "Authorization for Release of Health Information" form must be signed by the student in order for us to share medical information.
Care for Minors
If your daughter/son is a minor, we will mail you a generic "Consent for Medical Treatment" form for return. By law, contraceptive care and treatment of sexually transmitted infections do not require parental consent.
Immunizations
It is important for the Student Health Center to have an accurate and current immunization history on your daughter/son. We mail you a form to complete and return to us prior to college entry. This record becomes part of your daughter/son's medical record for purposes of future medical care.
Keep in mind that there are NO MANDATORY IMMUNIZATION REQUIRMENTS for college entry.
Recommended immunizations are available at this website: www.immunize.org/catg.d/4036need.pdf.
It is recommended that you have your daughter/son immunized prior to arriving at college. However, all immunizations are available at the Student Health Center by appointment.
Meningitis
For information on meningitis visit these pages:
Health Insurance
It is important for your daughter/son to carry a copy of their health insurance card. Many insurances will only cover the cost of care at specific hospitals/clinics. If your daughter/son requires x-rays or specialty care it is important for them to know where their care will be covered.
The Student Health Center does not bill health insurance. Although costs are minimal, your daughter/son may incur minimal charges for procedures, lab tests or medicines. If requested, we will give your daughter/son a copy of a receipt that is suitable to submit to insurance.
Make sure your daughter/son has health insurance coverage either under your policy or independently. If you have HMO coverage, check to see if he/she is eligible for health care locally. If your daughter/son is not insured or is under-insured we strongly urge you to get adequate coverage. Although costs are minimal at the Student Health Center, we don't provide trauma care, hospital care, specialty care or various types of diagnostic testing. Without insurance, an unexpected accident or illness can quickly generate thousands of dollars in medical bills.
University of Wisconsin System endorses a quality, comprehensive health insurance plan for college students. The plan description is available at: www.sas-mn.com (under colleges click on "Look Up School").
The brochure is also available at the Student Health Center.
For information from the Student Assurance Services company contact:
Candy Mears (Account Manager) candym@sas-mn.com
Student Assurance Services
1-800-328-2739 or (651) 209-5991
If you have additional questions contact:
Rosalie Slomski (Office Manager) slomski@uwosh.edu
UW Oshkosh Student Health Center
920-424-2425
Prescriptions
The Student Health Center carries a very limited supply of pharmaceuticals. If your daughter/son needs to get prescriptions filled regularly, have their prescription transferred to a pharmacy in Oshkosh.
Click to visit a page with the listed pharmacies located in Oshkosh.
Medical History
If your daughter/son has chronic medical problems, we recommend that you have his/her medical provider send us a copy of their medical record. This enables us to better coordinate care with your primary care health care provider.
- It is important for your student to be aware of their own medical problems including:
- What medications they are taking
- Any allergies to medications, foods, bee stings and how the allergy affects them
- Family medical history
- Immunization history
- Other prior health problems such as surgeries, illnesses, or hospitalizations
Medical Advice
- In preparation for your daughter/son taking control of his/her own health care, discuss the following:
- When it is appropriate to seek health care
- Health insurance coverage and importance of carrying health insurance card
- How to care for cold, flu and allergy symptoms, stressing that antibiotics are not necessary
- How to eat healthy
- The importance of 7-8 hours of good sleep
- Young women should have a pap/pelvic exam within 3 years of onset of sexual activity or by the age of 21
- Young men need to know how/when to perform testicular exam
- Young women need to know how/when to perform breast self exam
- All sexually active young adults should have routine STD testing
- All young adults should have their cholesterol/lipids checked by the age of 20
- All young adults should have their blood pressure checked annually
- Young women have a pap/pelvic exam within 3 years of onset of sexual activity or by the age of 21
- Young women know how to perform a breast self exam
- Young men know how to perform testicular exams
- Sexually active young adults have routine STD testing
- Young adults have their cholesterol/lipids checked by the age of 20
- Young adults have their blood pressure checked annually
- Young adults should be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health problems
First Aid Supplies
- Every student should have some basic medical supplies while at school including:
- Band-aids
- Antibiotic ointment
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Cold medicines
- Thermometer
- Cold pack
Emergency and After Hours Care
Emergency Care is readily available by dialing 911. Ambulances will transport your daughter/son to one of two area hospital emergency rooms:
Aurora Medical Center
855 North Westhaven Drive
Oshkosh, WI 54904
920-456-6000
Mercy Medical Center
500 S. Oakwood Road
Oshkosh, WI 54904
920-223-2000
Drugs and Alcohol
- Discuss the use of alcohol and drugs openly with your daughter/son. Emphasize the need to make conscious behavior choices.
- Talk about ways that your daughter/son can handle drinking environments at parties.
- Discover a comfortable way to say "no"
- Drink non-alcoholic beverages
- Don't participate in drinking games
- Be the "designated driver"
- Discuss the implications of legal charges and career ramifications of underage drinking or drunk driving. Drug and alcohol charges are serious impediments for many professions.
- Drinking and drug use are generally involved in incidents of sexual assault or making unhealthy choices about sexual activity.
- Emphasize healthy social choices such as campus clubs, going to movies, joining intramurals etc.
- If your daughter/son makes poor choices, encourage them to come to you to discuss options. The Counseling Center can be an excellent resource.
Student Life
- College life is another step toward independent living. "Letting go" is an important task for parents.
- College requires more self-discipline. There is less time spent in classrooms and more time spent studying outside of class. Helping your daughter/son develop time management skills is very important.
- Encourage independent decision-making about choice of major, course work, friendships and interests. Young adults need to make their own choices and learn from them.
- Expect identity exploration as young adults are exposed to varied life styles.
- Expect an adjustment to shared living. One of the tasks learned is how to get along with others, problem solve differences and learn to compromise.
- Students who feel pressure to get straight "As" are more stressed and don't enjoy the learning process.
- Help your daughter/son set realistic expectations about participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, drama productions or student government.
- Discuss financial arrangements for college in advance. Review financial aid and student loan options. Discuss whether getting a job is expected and how many hours are realistic.
Communication
- Take the time to talk to your daughter/son about their personal challenges, fears and expectations.
- Model communication skills that you want your daughter/son to learn. Give your daughter/son permission to discuss emotional subjects and to disagree.
- Discuss any family history of medical or mental health problems.
- Become an active listener. Be patient, don't interrupt and allow your daughter/son to make their point.
- Avoid lecturing and criticizing. Share your knowledge and information in a non-judgmental way.
- Encourage your daughter/son to solve their own problems.
- Recognize warning signs of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and substance abuse.
- If your daughter/son calls in crisis:
- Find out what the problem is and how they are coping with it.
- Help your daughter/son utilize campus resources such as: