New Health Care Center Opens on Campus

For the first time, Knox College students have a new professionally-staffed, on-campus Health Care Center. Created by Knox and the Galesburg Clinic, the center is open 30 hours a week when Knox is in session, with services provided by a physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner.

"This is a significant new service for Knox students, to have a professional medical staff and a Level One Primary Care facility, right here on campus," said Xavier Romano, vice president for student development and dean of students.

"Access to quality health care services is especially important for students -- who are often away from home for the first time," noted Mary Michalek, CEO of the Galesburg Clinic. "Knox College has taken a leadership role in providing access to health care services to the student population both on and off campus. The physicians, providers and staff of the Galesburg Clinic are pleased to help the college provide this opportunity," she added.

"We knew that students have been largely pleased with the services they received in Galesburg," said Romano. "But students also told us that they'd be more likely to use health services sooner if a facility were more convenient. We think the campus will be healthier, overall, if students' problems are addressed more quickly."

The new center opened this fall, sharing space in a residence hall with the College's current Counseling Center.

The new facility will consist of an examination room and a physician's office. The Health Center will share the waiting room with the Counseling Center in the Sherwin-Neifert residence hall, 151 West Knox St.

Weekend and after-hours office visit care will be available, as they have in the past, at the Clinic's main office on North Seminary Street or its Prompt Care facility on North Henderson Street.

In addition to medical services, physicians from the Health Care Center will conduct educational programs for Knox students throughout the year on health-related topics.

Physician's assistant Lyle Murphy, left, talks with Dan Larson, director of Knox College's counseling service, in the exam room on the new campus Health Care Center.