Rogers State University has executed a new management partnership with Utica Park Clinic to expand the offerings of the Student Health Center. The transition follows the recent retirement of longtime RSU Director of Student Health Center Lisa Martin. Martin oversaw the opening of the Student Health Center in 2004 and its transition to a partnership with the University of Oklahoma Physicians Clinic-Tulsa in 2013.
Utica Park Clinic begins operations on Monday, August 17 and will be staffed by Nurse Practitioner and RSU alumna Janet Seals. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at RSU and earned a Master of Science in nursing from the University of South Alabama.
“We are proud to partner with Utica Park Clinic and welcome Janet back to the hill,” RSU President Dr. Larry Rice said. “As we return to in-person instruction for the fall semester, it is critical to provide our students with the healthcare services they need. The ability for Utica Park Clinic to provide remote telemedicine appointments is a new and added benefit for our students and employees who are limiting their public outings.”
Utica Park’s Virtual Care option will allow RSU students, faculty and staff to receive medical attention from the convenience of a dorm room, home or office. The options include an online audio or video call, as well as a symptom-based questionnaire via the MyChart patient portal. Services include evaluation and treatment of minor acute illness, injury, and infection, limited over the counter medications, basic lab tests, vaccinations, health education and preventative care.
“Utica Park Clinic is excited about having a presence on the RSU campus to provide a convenient access point for students and staff to receive quality evaluation and treatment of acute illness,” Carolina Morris, director of business relations, said. “This partnership will give students and staff comfort in knowing they can be seen conveniently on campus or via telemedicine with minor interruptions to their daily activities.”
Seals looks forward to returning to RSU. Prior to joining Utica Park Clinic, she worked at the Alexander Health Center at the University of Tulsa.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to return to my alma mater and provide exceptional care. I have been actively involved in the medical field in one area or another from pre-hospital to ER since high school,” she said. “I found while working as a medical professional, I became intrigued with the fluid changes in health care which has fueled my passion to develop a holistic approach to patient care,” Seals said.
Utica Park Clinic is part of the Hillcrest Healthcare System. It is staffed by more than 285 providers practicing in 28 specialties with approximately 70 clinics in Oklahoma.
Health services are available free of charge to all students. Faculty and staff pay $20 per visit. Some fees for vaccines and labs that must be sent out for processing may be incurred to cover the costs when applicable. Referrals can be made for health issues requiring specialty care.
The Student Health Center is located in Downs Hall on the west side of the Health Sciences Building. Clinic hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Due to COVID-19, appointments are required and a facial covering must be worn for the duration of the office visit.
For more information, call 918-343-7614 or online at rsu.edu/shc.