ASHLAND, Ore. — La Clinica is set to take over operations at Southern Oregon University’s on-campus Student Health and Wellness Center starting in the fall.
The university is teaming up with the Medford-based community health group in an effort to continue to offer students affordable and high quality medical, behavioral health and reproductive health services. Anna D’Amato, Executive Director of SOU’s Student Health and Wellness Center says SOU and La Clinica have been working towards a partnership for over a year.
“I think other universities might outsource, they might bring other people in from the community, other providers to help enhance their services they offer students,” D’Amato said, “but I think we are the first university that are actually bringing in an outside healthcare provider to provide all the healthcare.”
D’Amato says La Clinica has offered all the health center’s current staff positions, so the clinic shouldn’t look too different to the students. Elise Travertini Windbigler, La Clinica’s School Base Health Center Director, says the only thing they think students will notice is the enhanced services offered at an affordable rate.
“It may be even less expensive depending on the student’s income and where they’re at,” Travertini Windbigler said, “And so, really, our hope is really to get affordable healthcare to the students.”
D’Amato says every student that attends SOU pays a mandatory health fee every term, but they hope with La Clinica, they won’t have to increase that fee like they have in previous years.
“La Clinica is an outstanding, community-minded organization, and SOU is proud to be partnering with them to ensure our students continue to get high-quality care while keeping their costs affordable,” SOU President Rick Bailey said. “We are indebted to everyone at La Clinica for embracing this partnership with compassion, kindness, and a focus on selfless student service.”
La Clinica accepts most insurances and does not turn away patients who cannot afford to pay. CEO Brenda Johnson said that providing services at SOU will come naturally for the healthcare organization.
“We’re grateful and excited to be able to step into this role as a partner and support SOU’s vision in providing accessible and affordable health care for their students,” said Johnson. “SOU is an excellent educational home, and La Clinica has a lot of experience running school-based health centers. It’s an ideal collaboration.”
La Clinica will begin operation of the student health center this September.
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