Student Experience

Hoos: Find Out Why the Princeton Review Says UVA’s Student Health and Wellness is No. 1

August 24, 2023 • By Jane Kelly, jak4g@virginia.edu Jane Kelly, jak4g@virginia.edu

(Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

This month, the Princeton Review released its “The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition,” which combines some new metrics with some previously released rankings, like the one that ranked the University of Virginia the No. 2 Best Value Public University and the No. 1 Best Public School for Financial Aid for the third year in a row.

The publication also contained some new information. Based on student surveys, UVA received the No. 1 ranking for student health services. It’s big news and gives UVA Today the perfect opportunity to introduce Student Health and Wellness and its services to members of the Class of 2027 (and their parents).

Two years ago, the department moved into a new, state-of-the-art building. The 156,000-square-foot superstructure houses the four units previously located in the Elson Student Health Center: Medical Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Student Disability Access Center, and the Office of Health Promotion.

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The building, seven years in the making, is a bright welcoming place to all students. Need some counseling? This is the place. Does your student need to learn how to prepare healthy meals now that they are out of the nest? Send them over to the gleaming teaching kitchen for “Hoos Cooking” nutrition education and culinary skills classes.

Here are some of things available at Student Health and Wellness, and how to get started.

‘HealthyHoos’ Patient Portal

This is where it all starts. HealthyHoos is a secure, online patient portal that allows UVA students to schedule appointments and have convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information. To login to HealthyHoos, students should use their Netbadge ID.

Pharmacy Services

UVA Student Health and Wellness has its own pharmacy. It is located on the first floor of the Student Health and Wellness building and serves UVA students and community members. The pharmacy is a satellite of UVA Health and accepts most health insurance and prescription plans.The pharmacy also sells health care products, so if you’re out of cough drops or hair spray, this is the place to go.

The Student Health and Wellness building has a welcoming living room with a fireplace that’s perfect for studying. (Contributed photo)

Counseling and Psychological Services

Mental health professionals are available for individual or group therapy. There are dedicated support groups for several things, including bipolar disorder, grief and eating disorders. The eating disorders group, for example, meets on Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. You can find more information about therapy and meeting times here. First-time users of these services are invited to schedule an initial phone assessment. For access to free, virtual on-demand counseling any time, check out UVA’s partnership with TimelyCare.

Teaching Kitchen

The Teaching Kitchen is home to Hoos Cooking, a hand-on class in nutrition and cooking skills led by students, dietetic interns, registered dietitians, professional chefs or special guests. There are even handy online tutorials on things like roasting vegetables and how to make a burrito bake.

Medical Services

All students who pay comprehensive fees with their tuition are eligible for no-cost visits with health providers in Medical Services. Students can get treatments for things like illness and injuries. There is testing for sexually transmitted infections, women’s and men’s health, and gender-affirming care. Take a look at providers and their specialties to find one that is the best fit for you.

A cozy spot to relax upstairs features walls of glass that bring the outdoors inside. (Contributed photo)

Student Disability Access Center

The center provides academic accommodations, support services and advocacy for students with permanent or temporary disabilities. Accommodations include alternative course materials, including Braille, American Sign Language, English interpreting, and exam accommodations, like extra time on tests.

Free Coffee Anyone?

Wednesday is free coffee day at Student Health and Wellness. In addition to all the services available in the building, there is a welcoming living room and student lounge, perfect for studying.

UVA’s Collegiate Recovery Program

Whether you’re in recovery, an ally or just sober-curious, students can visit the recovery lounge on the first floor of Student Health and Wellness and grab a cup of coffee or a breakfast treat. You can play video and board games, make yourself an espresso, and browse the Recovery Library. Come as you are; no RSVP is needed.