Student Experience

Three years at No. 1: Before classes begin, get to know this vital resource

Good things come in threes.

For three years, the Princeton Review has ranked the University of Virginia’s Department of Student Health and Wellness No. 1 in the country. And just this spring, a nationally recognized accreditation group gave the department its seal of approval for another three years.

Those are just a few of the reasons Dr. Christopher Holstege, who leads the department, is encouraging new families and students to start getting acquainted with Student Health and Wellness right now.

The department had more than 151,000 visits last year. “Knowing where to turn before a challenge arises can make all the difference,” he said.

Log on to the HealthyHoos portal

“The HealthyHoos portal is one of the most valuable tools students have for managing their health at UVA,” Holstege said. “Taking a few minutes to become familiar with the portal before classes begin can make accessing care much simpler when questions or health needs arise later in the semester.”

Students can complete required health forms, review immunization records, send secure messages to care teams, schedule appointments and access important health information throughout the year on the site.

Visit before a concern becomes an emergency

Seeking support early can help students access the right resources, build healthy habits and stay engaged throughout their UVA experience.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that students should only seek help when something has become serious,” Holstege said. “In reality, we encourage students to reach out early. Addressing concerns before they escalate often leads to better outcomes and helps students stay engaged academically and personally.

Dr. Christopher Holstege is the senior associate vice president for Student Health and Wellness. “College is a time of tremendous growth, and students are often navigating new challenges for the first time,” he said. “Knowing what resources are available before a problem arises empowers students to seek support early, stay healthy and remain focused on their academic and personal goals.” (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

“Staying current on immunizations, scheduling routine care and developing healthy habits early can help students avoid larger health concerns and fully engage in the opportunities that college provides,” he said.

It’s much more than a doctor’s office

The “and Wellness” part of the department’s name has real meaning.

“Supporting student well-being extends far beyond our important work treating illness,” Holstege said. “Our teams work together to provide comprehensive services that address physical health, mental health, nutrition, disability resources, basic needs and overall well-being, because all of these factors contribute to student success.”

Other services include counseling and mental health support, care and support services, disability resources, well-being programs and basic needs assistance like emergency funding and housing resources.

Your starting point for navigating support at UVA

“Students don’t need to know exactly where to start before reaching out,” Holstege said. “Student Health and Wellness is designed to make navigating care easier by connecting students with the right services within our department based on their individual needs. Our goal is to ensure students receive the correct support at the right time.”

Family, faculty and staff members can also stay connected by subscribing to the Student Health and Wellness newsletter to learn more about available resources, programs and important health information.