UNIVERSITY PARK — Through a collaboration between Penn State, the Penn State College of Nursing and Penn State Health, employees at the university can now expect more healthy benefits with the soon-to-open Penn State Employee Health and Wellness Center.
On Jan. 16, a ribbon was cut at the new facility, which officials said will offer cost-effective, high-quality and convenient health care to Penn State employees during the work day. The effort was conceived to address the rising health care costs for both employees and their employer.
“This new health and wellness center will go a long way to promote a healthy community here on the Penn State campus,” said PSU President Eric Barron during a brief press conference held in the Nursing and Sciences Building on campus. “I am proud of the commitment of everyone involved to get this center up and running. It’s a big deal here at Penn State.”
The facility won’t accept patients until mid-February.
According to Dr. Craig Hillemeier, dean, CEO and senior vice president for health affairs in the Penn State College of Medicine, the center will provide acute care on a walk-in basis. He said patients will be seen for many common conditions, including abdominal pain and stomach aches; allergies; bronchitis; colds, cough and flu; eye, ear, nose and throat infections; fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; minor rashes and skin conditions; sinus infections and sinusitis; and abrasions, sprains and strains not associated with a workplace injury.
“This is a great day for Penn State University and its employees,” said Hillemeier. “And, there’s much more that can be involved than just treating employees.”
Hillemeier said sometime in the near future, medical students and others studying in medical-related professions may have opportunities for real-life training inside the facility.
David Gray, senior vice president of business and finance at PSU, said the ribbon cutting ceremony was the fulfillment of a vision made three years ago.
“This is just another example of how much more Penn State University can do,” said Gray. “The collaboration between so many participants shows the importance of this facility, and the dedication to promote healthy employees is something that’s been on our minds for quite some time. It’s very nice to see everything come to fruition.”
The Penn State Employee Health and Wellness Center will officially open in mid-February. Office hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is (814) 689-6800 and will be operational effective Monday, Feb. 13.
