From keeping colds at bay in the dorms to treating a sprained ankle after hitting the Drillfield for some flag football, Hokies can be pretty prone to illness and injury.
Luckily, Schiffert Health Center is an on-campus health facility available to all students.
“Schiffert Health Center is a place to come when you’re feeling ill or have an injury. Think of our student clinic as you would your family doctor,” said Rick Ferraro, assistant vice president for student affairs.
The center offers a variety of services to students, including the Primary Care Clinic, an Allergy and Immunizations Clinic and a confidential Women’s Health
Center.
“We have a small pharmacy, although students can easily take prescriptions to other pharmacies. We have a lab, where we do various kinds of tests, and we also have an X-ray center,” Ferraro said. “We also have a health education program, because one of the things we are concerned to do is not only treat but prevent illness and injury.”
There is also a self-care cold clinic that students can walk into whenever they need to.
“That’s there to help students with the low level stuff that occurs. It’s a place to go to get some basic treatment if you think you’re getting sick,” said Ferraro.
Schiffert is located in McComas Hall at the traffic circle at the intersection of West Campus Drive and Washington Street. It shares the building with McComas gym.
The center is named after Dr. Charles W. Schiffert, who directed the center from 1970 to 1986. According to Ferraro, Schiffert cared deeply about the center and the students at Tech, and did much to advance both the physical and mental health facilities.
In the years after he retired he continued to work with the health center. In 1998, the center was named in his honor. He also recently donated $1 million to the health center in honor of his wife,
Dolores.
All registered full-time students are eligible to use the services at Schiffert because they are required to pay the non-refundable student health fee with tuition. Last year, the fee was $160 per semester.
The fee is similar to insurance in that it covers most routine care throughout the semester, meaning that students do not have to pay separately for each visit they make to Schiffert.
“You pay the student fee and you’re eligible to use Schiffert. We don’t require our students to buy insurance, but even if you’re healthy, it’s a good idea,” said Ferraro.
Cook Counseling Center is located in the same building as Schiffert. At Cook, students have free, confidential access to mental health services. The counseling center also provides students assistance with study habits and test taking.