AC asks "How the health are you?"

As students grab their book bags and cell phones to make their way to campus each day, health concerns may not be on their “to-do” list.

David Torres, a licensed vocational nurse, who has worked for the Alamo Community College District for 13 years, recently resigned as the college’s Health Nurse/Coordinator. Torres promoted student activities throughout the year to help educate students about better health.

Dr. Daniel Rodriguez, Director of Student Services, said that temporary help from a local health agency will be provided to fill the void until the Health Center hires full-time staff in January 2007.

“The philosophy of the Health Center is preventative kinds of things,” Rodriguez said. “Students need to have this service, but often students wait until they are actually ill to come in.”

The Student Health Center is located in Room 129 of the Student Center, across from the Bursar’s Office and next to Campus Police. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“Basic first aid treatment, over–the-counter medications and informational literature are some of the services this office provides,” Torres said. “But most of the time, students use the facility for the first two things mentioned.”.

Another concern for Torres is the location of the Health Center itself.

“We’re kind of tucked away in a little corner,” he said, “Some students may not even know we exist.”

Mark Silva, a junior Business-Management major at Texas A&M Kingsville, fit Torres’ description.

“I didn’t even know a service like that was available to us,” said Silva.

Torres thinks that most students who come to the Health Center leave satisfied. Tracking reports from March 2005 to present showed that the Health Center has between 250 to 350 visiting students during the fall semester, slightly higher than in the spring.

“Some students aren’t even aware of the medical coverage here,” Torres said.

“The answer is yes, we do have basic insurance coverage, and if there are any questions, stop by the office and ask.”

Bollinger Insurance Group covers all Palo Alto students. A fee of $4 is part of each student’s tuition and fees’ bill. There are three different plans available, but the most common plan used by students is the Compulsory Student Injury Insurance Plan, which covers injury, medical emergency, dental, x-ray, prescription drugs and other benefits.

More information on benefits are available at Health Center.

Since flu season is right around the corner, Torres said the Health Center will provide vaccines for students and staff in conjunction with Professional Nurse Consultant Services. The vaccines will be available Wednesday, Oct. 25 and Thursday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $25 per shot.

Torres said clients who cannot afford to pay for the vaccine are urged to contact the Metro Health District’s, Department of Immunizations. The closest branch location to Palo Alto is at 9011 Poteet-Jourdanton Highway. Their phone number is (210) 924-9031.