As members of Bakersfield College’s administration department gathered with the press on Nov. 23 inside the newly relocated and renovated Student Health Center to promote and discuss the changes undergone as well as the recent partnering with Clinica Sierra Vista, a student requiring immediate care was treated by the nurse and doctor.
“The student walked in and the doctor took care of him immediately, but I called the ambulance at the doctor’s request and then I followed up with public safety so that they could meet them in the entrance and immediately get them over here,” said BC nurse Deborah Strong.
The student was carried out of the health center and off campus by paramedics.
Acting as emergency medical care until paramedics or the fire department arrives in situations of urgency, the BC Health Center is a service focusing in basic healthcare needs for students.
“The Health Center on a whole – we just provide basic health care. We are here to just help keep the students in school. We provide screenings, like PHIT screening, blood pressure screening, glucose screening. We also do referrals. We don’t do any specialty care, so we refer a lot to Planned Parenthood for OBGY (obstetrics) care,” said Strong.
Concerning the recent move of the Health Center to the Campus Center, Strong said, “A lot of students don’t even know that we’re here, and that’s one of the reasons why we had moved to this site here, to be more visible.”
With the partnering of Clinica Sierra Vista, the Health Center has extended the healthcare services available on and off the campus.
Flu vaccinations, with help from Clinica, have been obtained for the BC student body and are available upon visit.
“We have the flu vaccine. We got it from the county, but they negotiated with the county to get us the flu vaccine to make it available to the students,” said Dean of Students Joyce Coleman.
Present at the gathering, Chief Operations Officer for Clinica Sierra Vista Caron McNearney said on behalf of Clinica, “We are happy to expand to BC, because it’s another opportunity for us to allow access to students.that maybe wouldn’t have already had care.”
With the expansion on their prior partnership with the BC Delano Campus, the addition of Clinica to the program will allow students access to other Clinica clinics in and around the area that can assist them with more specified needs.
“If someone needs more care, the great thing about that, then they can go straight to Clinica Sierra Vista, they have low or no-cost services,” said Coleman.
The staff at the Health Center will also refer students to specialists who provide discounts to students who require more specialized medical needs.
“We also refer the students to Target Optical. The exams, I’m not sure what the prices are, but they give the students a break if you show your BC ID, you get 25 percent off on prescription glasses. If you do lenses, it’s like 10 percent off,” said Strong.
As well as the extended medical services brought with the addition of Clinica, the Health Center now also includes a licensed clinical social worker.
“In addition to medical care, [students] can get mental health services as well,” said Coleman. “We have a licensed clinical social worker here.
“You’re depressed, down, whatever reason you have that you might need to see a social worker – we have someone here that can provide that service.”
The Health Center is open Monday-Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Walk-ins are accepted.