Campus to celebrate clinic opening Sept. 1

Students who saw a need for a health clinic on campus will see their vision realized: The clinic will begin taking appointments on Aug. 31.

An official opening celebration will take place the next day at noon via YouTube.

The Augustana Convenient Care Clinic Powered by Genesis Health will open with a celebration at 3410 9 ½ Ave., just west of the Gerber Center for Student Life and accessible to students, faculty, and staff.

The clinic will be managed by Genesis Health System, which will provide an advanced practice provider during hours compatible with student schedules. Services will include treatment of sprains, strains, fevers, strep throat testing, cold and flu treatment, pneumonia, minor fractures, lacerations, other acute problems, and seasonal flu vaccines.

 “Augustana has long been a source of care and nurturing for students. Now, students will find that continued care for their physical well-being at the heart of campus,” said Dr. Wes Brooks, dean of students.

“As we prepare to welcome students back to campus this month, we are doing everything we can to plan and prepare for the precautions that COVID-19 will require of us,” he said. “Students, and their parents, see the clinic as an additional resource and reason for confidence in Augustana’s COVID-19 plans.”

The idea for an on-campus clinic came from public health students, who were encouraged by faculty.

 “The new campus clinic went from an idea to reality in less than three years thanks to the vision and perseverance of students who identified an immediate need on campus and found support from many other campus decision-makers,” said Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedey, professor of biology.
 
Dr. Wegman-Geedey is no stranger to the persistence of public health professionals. She encouraged epidemiologist Dr. Emily Landon ’99 to pursue the field as a student. Dr. Landon now serves as an advisor for Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker through the coronavirus pandemic.

Focus on health and wellness

The clinic is a symbol of Augustana’s growth and focus on health and wellness. In the last academic year the college launched an academic program in kinesiology, and mental health services were expanded for more frequent and virtual options. 

Last spring the college broke ground on the Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance, and there are new tele-health services available for students 24/7. Augustana’s estimated investments in these health and wellness programs, facilities and services are estimated at $20 million. 

The cost of the first year of services at the clinic will be covered by Augustana, and college officials are looking at ways to continue providing services at a low cost to students after the first year.

Medication, and additional tests may drive costs for a student and would be handled through the student’s insurance. 

COVID testing is available as needed with a recommendation from a health care provider through the clinic, paid for through the college’s Surveillance Testing program. 

"We're excited about this opportunity to work with a great community partner to continue the Genesis Health System outreach to serve individuals and communities,” said Kurt Andersen, M.D., senior vice president of physician operations, Genesis Health System. “Genesis wants to provide compassionate, quality care where it best serves the needs of patients.”
 
"This partnership with Augustana College will provide students, faculty and staff with convenient access to dependable health services. We want Augustana students, faculty and staff to return to campus healthy and with confidence that if they need health services while on campus, those services are available,” said Dr. Andersen.

Iowa-based Genesis Health System serves a 17-county, bi-state region of the Quad Cities area and the surrounding communities in Iowa and Illinois.