By Briana Outlaw/reporter
Students, faculty and staff are offered free health clinic services year-round on every TCC campus.
“If a person is not feeling well, we can treat them symptomatically as long as they are 18 or older,” South health services coordinator Tina Ingram said. “Students can go to the bookstore and get ibuprofen, but we also have it here for students for free.”
Health services aims to help students stay focused and on campus so classes are not missed, NW health services coordinator Monica Hayes said.
“We’re here to try to help students stay on campus throughout the day so that they don’t have to leave for basic health services,” she said. “Come in, get what you need and go back to class.”
The clinics are staffed by licensed registered nurses who provide weight monitoring, STD testing, over-the-counter medications and emergency response.
“We have nebulizers for those with asthma as well as emergency medications like EpiPens, Instaglucose and oxygen,” Ingram said.
Students who do not have health insurance can get information about low-cost or free resources where they can get further assistance.
“We’re here to help students find resources, to help people on campus and to provide health and wellness education on various topics,” Hayes said.
Registered nurses also offer education about medications to students.
“If you are diabetic, you can come in and find out about what’s going on, and we help with diet plans,” NE registered nurse Susan Alvarado said. “We will talk about the medications and help with whatever you need.”
Health services on each campus wants students to be comfortable and respected.
“We have overwhelmingly positive feedback,” Ingram said. “The students are feeling comfortable coming in, and they are well-receptive with learning how to take care of themselves.”
Each campus also organizes an annual health fair. Attendees receive glucose testing, HIV and STD testing and mammograms as well as visit with various vendors and gather health-related materials.
Every Tuesday on NW, the Fort Worth Pregnancy Center provides pregnancy testing, confirmation of pregnancy by ultrasound and consultation. Patient information is held in strict confidence, and all communication is handled with utmost discretion.
“Tarrant County Public Health, Texas Health Resources and Carter BloodCare are vendors that participate each year to provide free testing and opportunities to donate blood,” NE administrative assistant Bernadette Yee said.
Health services has made an online magazine available for students and employees. The link can be found at www.tccd.edu/health or by texting TCCD to 406091.
Campus Health Fairs 2017-18
South Campus — Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. SSTU
NE Campus — Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Center Corner
TR Campus — Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Main Street
SE Campus — Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Main Commons
NW Campus — March 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. WSTU
