Editorial
Why no full-time M.D.?
By Editorial Staff
April 21, 2016
Tags editorial
Many students have been unhappy with the Health Center for some time. While we’ve heard some shocking tales, this week’s article represents the first attempt to corroborate rumors and share individuals’ stories. The Spectator did not reach out to the student population with the intent of publishing sensationalized content, nor do we believe that we are exposing anything unheard-of about the Health Center. Instead, we are confirming and making public the facts of an urgent situation that has been allowed to continue for too long.
As we reported on Feb. 4, the Health Center’s M.D. left, and has not yet been replaced. Currently, a part-time M.D. visits campus for three hours once a week. Looking at what some of the stories we present have in common suggests that the Health Center should be concerned with the consistency of its care. In the cases of Erin McCulloch ’16 and the student exploring birth control alternatives, their experiences seem to have been affected by their inability to see an M.D. at the time. No such problem when the latter student returned three years later and met with an M.D. about the same issue. This is evidence that the need for a more available doctor is essential for consistent care.
In addition, Natalie Adams (’17)’s story is an indication that policies and systems need to be in place so that Hamilton students can receive the care that they need when they are on campus. As an XA leader, Adams was a Hamilton student helping to run a Hamilton program at the time she was denied service. While the staff at the time should not be faulted for turning her away, her story recommends that the Health Center’s policies be reexamined with an eye towards providing the most care to Hamilton students.
The fact is, there are many positive stories about the Health Center, but the ones mentioned here are just a small sampling of negative experiences. There is no clear system in place for students to give feedback on their care. Discussions with current Health Center employee Barbara Fluty, N.P., and the Associate Dean of Students for Health and Safety Jeff Landry provide further evidence that our Health Center is in trouble, and that a simple change of location and facilities will not solve the real problem at hand.
After education, students’ well-being should be the College’s top priority. We cannot allow another semester to go by without offering students reasonable access to a doctor.