Medical providers from the Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC), under contract with the College, offer on-campus treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, health counseling, and referral services. The student wellness coordinator assists with both healthcare provider examinations and with medical needs, including referrals, insurance questions, prescriptions, and transportation. Health Services are provided in the Student Wellness Center, located at the corner of Austin and Tower Streets.
Health Services hours are posted in each residence hall. To schedule an appointment, contact the student wellness coordinator at ext. 2157. For walk-in appointments, students should arrive at the Health Services Office within the first fifteen minutes of the scheduled clinic time, as healthcare providers may leave once all patients are seen. If unsure of the provider's availability, contact the student wellness coordinator at ext. 2157. Health Service hours may change or be canceled due to emergencies beyond the physicians' control. For immediate medical attention outside of Health Services Office hours, students should contact an R.A. or residence hall director. The NRMC, located at 800 South Ash Street, offers 24-hour emergency medical services, and ambulances can be obtained by calling 911 from any campus phone. Non-emergency care is available from local physicians on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; refer to the Physicians section in the Yellow Pages of the Nevada phone directory.
While consultation services provided by the College are free, they are limited. Students must have complete health forms on file with the Health Services Office to receive treatment. More comprehensive medical services are available in the local community at the student's expense, and medical insurance coverage is highly recommended to help mitigate the costs of accidents or severe illnesses. If parents or guardians cannot be reached, the College may make decisions regarding emergency health problems for students.
A healthcare provider cannot excuse a student from class. It is the student's responsibility to arrange with instructors for any missed classes. However, at the student’s request, the student wellness coordinator can email instructors, academic advisors, and others with a "need to know" about the student's absence due to illness or injury. This notice is informational and does not serve as an excuse. Students are responsible for notifying the director of health and counseling services in case of illness or injury requiring hospitalization or an extended absence from classes for more than one week.
Students diagnosed with a contagious illness must inform the student wellness coordinator immediately. Reportable public health threats include Diphtheria, Measles (Rubeola), German Measles (Rubella), Mumps, Pertussis (whooping cough), Hepatitis types A and B, non-A or unknown hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Meningitis, Encephalitis, COVID-19, and AIDS/HIV. Students who leave the College for medical reasons, including mental health, must obtain clearance from the vice president for student life and enrollment to return to campus. They may need to provide documentation from a qualified health professional detailing the diagnosis, treatment course, current ability to return, and recommendations for continued care. This documentation will be included in the student’s confidential health and counseling record.
Athletic Training Information
Athletic Training maintains separate records related to injury evaluation, treatment, and participation in athletics. Athletic Training staff may share relevant information with coaches and athletics staff as necessary to support safe participation. This may include the nature of an injury, participation limitations, and return-to-play timelines.
Communicable Illness and Safety
The College may share general health information with the campus community in the event of increased illness activity in order to promote safety and awareness.
The College does not disclose the identity of students with routine illnesses. In rare cases involving significant health or safety risks, the College may share additional information as permitted by law and College policy.
External Medical Providers (HIPAA)
In some cases, students may receive care from medical providers affiliated with Nevada Regional Medical Center or other external providers.
These providers operate under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which governs how they use and disclose medical information.
When information from an external provider is shared with the College (with the student’s permission), the copy maintained by the College becomes part of the student’s educational record and is protected under FERPA.
Students may receive a separate Notice of Privacy Practices from external providers describing their rights under HIPAA.
Health Services Records (FERPA)
Health information maintained by the Cottey College Student Wellness Center is considered part of a student’s educational record and is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
This includes information such as:
- Health forms and immunization records
- Insurance information
- Visit summaries and documentation maintained by the College
- Participation status and health-related restrictions
Under FERPA, this information may be shared with College officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the information. This typically includes Health Services staff, Athletic Training staff, and certain administrators when necessary to support student health, safety, or participation.
The College limits such sharing to the minimum information necessary to fulfill these responsibilities. In most cases, information is shared in terms of participation status or restrictions rather than detailed medical information.
Students have the right to review their educational records and may request limitations on additional disclosures as provided under FERPA.
Privacy of Health Information
Cottey College is committed to protecting the privacy of student health information while supporting student well-being and safety.
Questions
Students with questions about the privacy of their health information may contact the Student Wellness Center at ext. 2157.