STUDENT
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
STUDENT HEALTH POLICIES
I. TRACKING
All students are required to maintain a permanent record of certain
health maintenance requirements at the Student Health Office in
the ACC building (regardless of where you receive your primary medical
care). These records will be reviewed periodically for compliance
with the polices summarized below. If you are out of compliance
with required health maintenance activities you may be at risk for
delays in school registration or advancement to the next academic
year (see specific requirements below).
II. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
By now, you have all completed the general entrance requirements
that apply to all students enrolled at the George Washington University.
If you have any outstanding issues with Student Health, you must
remedy them immediately.
III. HEPATITIS B IMMUNIZATION
POLICY
In order to advance to the clinical clerkships in your third year
of medical school, you must provide documentation of a full series
of three immunizations against Hepatitis B, serologic evidence of
immunity, or sign a consent waiver documenting that you have voluntarily
declined to meet this requirement.
IV. TUBERCULOSIS EXPOSURE TESTING (PPD SKIN TESTING)
POLICY
All students will have tuberculosis skin testing performed prior
to starting the third year of medical school (unless they have previously
had a positive test, in which case documentation of appropriate
treatment and/or follow up will be required). All students will
have PPD testing repeated prior to starting their fourth year of
medical school.
V. VARICELLA ZOSTER (CHICKEN POX)
Most of you will have been infected with the Varicella Zoster
virus as children and thus will be immune to this disease. However,
some individuals (about 5%) reach adulthood without acquiring natural
immunity to this disease. At the time of enrollment, you must provide
evidence of prior varicella infection, serologic evidence of infection,
or documentation of varicella immunization.
VI. INFLUENZA
Influenza is a serious viral infection causing high fever, muscle
aches, and respiratory symptoms. It is most prevalent from November
through February every year. Each year, a new influenza vaccination
is available that protects the recipient against the two or three
strains of influenza most likely to be prevalent during that year.
The immunization is usually given in October or November. Immunization
against influenza is recommended for health care providers and staff
at high risk of acquiring and transmitting the virus to patients.
You may have a small risk of exposure during your Primary Care Apprenticeship
activities or volunteer community service activities. The immunization
is not required by GWUSOM, but you are STRONGLY urged to receive
immunization each year.
HEALTH INSURANCE
All students are required to maintain personal health insurance
continuously while enrolled at The George Washington University
School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Certain immunizations are
required by the University or the School. Records of these immunizations
are maintained at the University Student Health Service, even if
you do not receive your primary care at Student Health.
 University
Health Insurance Information
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
Student
Health Service
Mental
Health Services
Confidential psychiatric consultation can be provided at Student
Health. In addition, the University maintains a very extensive
Counseling Center that is available without charge to all students.
The Counseling Center can provide confidential evaluation and
treatment for a broad range of problems. Both Student Health and
the Counseling Center can facilitate external referral for evaluation
and treatment if necessary. Finally, the Dean's Office maintains
contact information for many community psychiatrists and psychologists
who are willing to see medical students.
University
Counseling Center
FITNESS/WELLNESS
MULTICULTURAL
SERVICES
DISABILITY
SUPPORT SERVICES
DISABILITY INSURANCE
The medical school does not require students to carry disability
insurance. However, we strongly urge you to consider a disability
policy, particularly if you already have a family or dependents.
There is a wide array of personal policies available from traditional
insurance companies. The American Medical Association has a very
low cost annual program for medical students that provides up
to $1000 per month for 12 months. This policy is renewable annually
and can easily be converted to a physician policy at the time
of graduation. If you have additional questions about disability
insurance, please see Dean Haywood or Dean Schroth.
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