Kyran Cates
Reporter
Getting a college education can be expensive, but with the support of your university, maintaining your health shouldn’t be. Idaho State University offers a wide variety of health and wellness resources to ensure students have access to counselors, doctors, exercise equipment and more.
Located just across the street from ISU’s quad is the Health Center, which offers free office visits for all students. The Health Center provides a wide variety of services including x-rays, contraception, vaccinations and pharmaceuticals.
Free of charge, students can meet with a professional, ask questions and discuss testing and treatment options. You can make an appointment at the Health Center either through ISU’s virtual health portal at healthcenterportal.isu.edu/Mvc/Portal/Login, or by calling 208-282-2330.
Costs of services and treatments can be discussed during free office visits. Some services have cash price discounts, which must be paid on the day of service. Otherwise, the Health Center accepts most insurances, debit or credit payments and cash.
The Bengal Pharmacy is an extension of ISU’s Health Center, located just outside the Rendezvous Complex, where students and staff can purchase over-the-counter medications, receive prescription refills and ask questions about their medications.
Another resource provided to students and staff is Healthwest ISU, where all ISU-affiliates can receive healthcare for themselves and their families. Healthwest ISU provides prenatal care, newborn care, pediatric care, women’s health, behavioral health and more.
Healthwest ISU’s website states that they accept all private insurances, and offer a sliding fee scale for patients with limited income. They also accept cash, check and payments using credit or debit cards.
The Healthwest ISU clinic is located at 465 Memorial Drive in Pocatello, and their phone number is 208-234-4700.
ISU also offers Dentistry Services on campus, such as deep cleanings, sealants, tooth whitening and restorative fillings. Services are provided either by licensed dental hygienists and dentists or under their direct supervision. Students receive educational experience in Dentistry Services by observing, evaluating and caring for patients during clinic hours.
Before treatment, costs and payment options are explained to ensure you can afford your care. Dentistry Service hours vary between semesters. During the fall semester, the clinic is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
During the spring, they are open on Monday from 7:45 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and from Tuesday through Friday their hours are 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Especially for college students, mental health is a vital piece of overall well being, which is why ISU offers extensive Counseling and Testing Services. Students can call 208-282-2130 with questions, or to make an appointment with any of ISU’s trusted professionals.
The website for Counseling and Testing Services explains that their services are completely free, as they are committed to the successful development of students, and other members of the ISU community. They offer emergency services in addition to individual counseling, group counseling, biofeedback skills training and testing accommodations for all students in need.
To learn more about ISU’s Counseling and Testing Services, feel free to call 208-282-2130 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the regular school year, or from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the summer.
Counseling and Testing Services regularly work in conjunction with Disability Services, which works to create, “an accessible environment for students, employees, and community members with disabilities,” according to their website. Disability Services include academic coaching, alternative testing, deaf and hard of hearing services, assistive technology and more.
Disability Services can be found in Room 125 of the Rendezvous Complex or can be contacted by phone at 208-282-3599 or by email at ude.usinull@secivresytilibasid.
Finally, to encourage students to maintain healthy levels of physical activity, ISU offers several services based out of Reed Gym, which is located between the Rendezvous Complex and Garrison and Turner Hall.
Full and part-time students automatically possess a membership to Reed Gym, which includes the use of the swimming pool, gym spaces, dance rooms, tennis courts, exercise facilities, the indoor climbing wall, indoor jogging track and more. For dual-enrolled students and students who don’t pay student activity fees, a membership to Reed Gym costs only 48 dollars each semester.
Community members, alumni, senior citizens, staff and student spouses can also purchase memberships with costs ranging from 18 to 48 dollars each month.
Day passes can also be purchased for eight dollars per day or 63.60 dollars for ten days, and a full list of gym hours can be found at www.isu.edu/camprec/gym-hours/, or you can call 208-282-4854 with any questions.
For the foreseeable future, a COVID-19 screening is required to obtain access to all of Reed Gyms’ facilities. Failure to comply with ISU’s screening program may result in the termination of your membership.
Lastly, found in Reed Gym is ISU’s Wellness Center. Aimed at improving student’s health regardless of circumstances, the Wellness Center provides at-home and in-person fitness routines and classes, nutrition and wellness coaching, personal training, fitness assessments and information about staying safe from COVID-19. For more information, visit www.isu.edu/wellness/.
ISU is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of students, feel free to explore the many services and facilities at your disposal as you adjust to life at Idaho State University.
