The nurses and physicians at University Health & Wellness support the academic and personal success and well-being of our students, our faculty and our staff. We foster awareness, attitudes and behaviors that promote active learning and healthy living.

Our on-campus registered nurses, nurse practitioners and Riverside Family Medicine physicians provide a variety of services and educational programs to help meet the health and well-being needs of the CNU community.

Note:  If you will start school before reaching the age of 18, in order to receive non-emergency  care in the  clinic, a parent or guardian must sign the New Patient Health History Form and Patient Statement of Understanding and Financial Agreement Form and have it on file in the office of UHWS.

Some of those services include: (see complete list)Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here

  • physicals and episodic illness and injury care
  • on campus laboratory services such as rapid strep and  flu tests, blood draws
  • vaccines such as flu shots (allergy shots are not given due to safety and liability issues)
  • stitch and staple removal
  • body fat analysis
  • blood pressure monitoring
  • Smoking cessation program, CNU Quit
Allergy Shots
Because of safety and liability issues, allergy shots are not administered in our office. There are several local family physicians who will administer allergy shots, after an initial evaluation visit. Don't forget to contact your insurance company to find out which family physician accepts your coverage.  To find a list of local physicians, visit "Off Campus Medical Options," "Physicians" tab.

Need help after hours or on the weekend?
Call  our 24 hour nurse advice and medical resource service (757) 594-2000 and request to speak to The Riverside Nurse. The Riverside Nurse is provided by Riverside Health System as a service to the local community. The Riverside Nurse is staff by registered nurses that use state of the art telephone triage protocols in order to help you access the appropriate medical care.

One of our most important goals is to support CNU’s mission of educating mind, body and soul.

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It's finally here...packing day! You're off to college. Congratulations!

So, while your packing your iPad, your band posters and your toothbrush, don't forget to pack a basic medicine & first aid kit. You'll find it pretty useful if you get sick.

Here's a few suggestions to get your started: (get a full list here) Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here

  • thermometer -- essential
  • band-aids
  • antibiotic ointment
  • pain / fever - Acetaminophen, (Tylenol) and / or Ibuprophen (Advil)
  • any prescriptions you are taking
  • Got asthma? Remember your inhaler and peak flow meter.  Talk to your Doctor about your sick care plan.
  • Diabetes? Talk to your doctor about what to do if / when you become ill at school.
  • Taking Prescriptions? Think about how you'll get refills. You can have most of your prescriptions refilled in UHWS.

Remember, unlike your previous 12 years of school, you may keep medications in your residence hall including injection medications.  Consider how to keep controlled medications and needles secure and safe. 

Diabetics who are insulin dependant and students on other forms of injectable medication are required to have a milk carton, or other plastic container to put used syringes and needles in.

It is a good idea to transfer  prescriptions to a local pharmacy while at CNU. There are several pharmacies close to campus. To see a list of local pharmacies, visit "Off Campus Medical Options," "Clinics / Pharmacies" tab.

Health Insurance
Don't forget to bring all you health insurance information, insurance cards and doctors' contact information. Click on the "Insurance & Billing" tab above for specific information and necessary forms.

Transportation
Here are a few convenient ways to get transportation to off campus physicians and medical facilities:

  • Zipcar - If you are 18 or older you can rent a Zipcar. Cars are kept in lot K behind the DSU, off Shoe Lane. Go to the Zipcar website to register and get more information.
  • A friend - Students will often make arrangements with a friend who has a car.
  • HRT - Visit the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) website at www.gohrt.com and check out their easy to use, Google trip planner. Most of the facilities listed on this site are on the Route 112 Schedule.
  • Cab --  Taxi Services in Newport News

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UHWS Clinic Fees: Health Services does not accept insurance for services in the clinic. However, when the clinic sends labwork to Lab Corp or Quest,  they will bill the student's insurance. So please be sure to have a copy of your insurance card. At the time of your  visit, you'll be provided with a medical encounter form which itemize all charges for services rendered. This statement contains all the necessary information needed in order for you to submit a claim to the insurance company for reimbursement.  

Please see Fees for Services or call the clinic for the current list of fees. Payment is due at the time of service. Cash, check, Captain's Card and credit / debit cards are accepted forms of payment. Minors: If you will begin school before reaching the age of 18, in order to receive non-emergent medical care in the student clinic, you will need to have your parent or guardian sign the Patient Statement of Understanding and Financial Agreement form to have on file in the clinic.This form is also available in the office of UHWS.  

Off Campus Medical Care & Insurance Pre-authorization:  Except for emergency care, you will need to contact your insurance company, in advance, to be certain the company will will authorize the expenses. Most insurance companies will authorize most off -campus visits as long as you contact the company before getting medical care. Failure to do so could result in your being required to pay for services out-of-pocket or risk not being seen.

Insurance Cards: If you should become ill or injured or be referred for off-campus medical care, x-rays or lab work, you will be required to have a copy of the front and back of their insurance card. Other than life threatening situations, without that card, most facilities will require your student to pay for the entire cost of the visit at the time of service out-of-pocket  or run the risk of not being seen.

In the event that you become ill or injured, you should be prepared to answer the following:

  • Am I covered on my parents' health plan, and if so for how long?
  • Am I covered under my own health plan?
  • Do I have a copy of my parents' or my Insurance Card?
  • If I am referred by Health Services to an off-campus physician or urgent care center, or if I become ill on weekends or after hours, will the visit be covered under my insurance?
  • Which urgent care centers am I authorized to use?
  • Who do I call for after hours authorization?
  • What is my co-pay and  what form of payment will they accept?
  • What pharmacy does my insurance authorize to use?

Uninsured Options: UHWS strongly encourages students to have health insurance. Staying healthy is critical in supporting academic success. 

Application packets from a few of these companies are available in our office located in The Freeman Center, first floor.

Physicals: No physicals are required. If you are a CNU athlete please contact your trainer, coach or the Department of Athletics for requirements.        

Immunizations: Virginia State Law requires that all first-time, full-time undergraduate and graduate students provide documentation of the required immunizations against communicable diseases, including meningitis, as is required by the Virginia State Department of Education and the recommendations of the American College Health Association. This documentation must be provided and signed by a licensed health professional or health facility. Failure to do so will result in a student's inability to participate in early registration.

Your immunization record should be sent or turned into the Office of the Registrar.

Read and complete the following before attending classes (all forms are PDF Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here). All immunization records should be sent or turned into the Office of the Registrar:

Visit the Center for Disease control to learn more about meningitis.

HIPAA is an acronym that stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It was made into law in 1996.  By law, you have the right to strict confidentiality regarding your visits to University Health & Wellness Services (UHWS). In order to release any information including the date or nature of your visit, UHWS has to have your signed consent and specific directions about what information you are consenting to be released. Without written consent, UHWS cannot release or discuss any information relating to your visit with anyone including your parents, guardians, spouse, faculty, staff, coach and other medical professionals.

When a student, 18 years or older, visits the clinic, all information relating to that visit is documented and is considered protected medical information. Without a your written consent, no information may be discussed or released to anyone.

If you want information or records released to or from someone specific, please complete the appropriate form:
(all forms are PDF Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here)

Note: UHWS maintains patient records for six years after a student graduates. After six years health records are destroyed.
18 years or older
When a student, 18 years or older, visits the clinic, all information relating to that visit is documented and is considered protected medical information. Without a your written consent, no information may be discussed or released to anyone.

If you want information or records released to or from someone specific, please complete the appropriate form:

Under 18
If you have begun school before reaching the age of 18, in order to receive non-urgent nursing care in the student clinic, a parent or guardian must sign the Personal Health History and Patient Statement of Understanding and Financial Agreement Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here and have it on file in the office of UHWS.
First visit to our office? If so, please arrive 15 minutes early in order to complete the the required forms or save yourself some time and download and complete prior to your visit. 

Patient Health History Information Form  Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here

Patient statement of Understanding and Financial Responsibility Agreement  Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here