“The most common requests this time of year are allergy medications,” said Torres.

Students and faculty can walk in, relay their symptoms, and be helped as soon as possible. Sometimes someone will just need a band-aid or they might need to borrow the scale to weigh themselves.

“The convenience is great. I just walked in, asked for Tylenol and went back to class,” said Ismael Hernandez, junior, History major.

Contraceptives and feminine products are also available with no questions asked. Blood pressure and blood sugar testing is available conveniently, as well as educational literature and health-related counseling. Services provided through the Health Center are confidential.

“We don’t keep medical records,” said Torres. “Confidentiality is of the utmost.”

When becoming a student at Palo Alto College, an Accidental/Death Insurance is included in the registration fee. For an additional premium, an optional Health/Medical Insurance designed especially for students of the Alamo Community College District and their families is also available through Bollinger Insurance Company.

The optional health insurance costs $120 for a regular semester for one student with the premium going up per dependent included. Students can sign up for the Plan II insurance at the Health Center by filling out a blue form and mailing it and a check to the address listed. Students can also sign up and read more information on the insurance company’s web site at www.bollingerinsurance.com/alamo

Geared to be a comfortable and welcoming convenience, the Health Center also offers a bed to any student or faculty member who wants to relax.