The Health Center is staffed by professional nurses and student clerks who assist Grinnell College students with health needs. Health care resources in the Grinnell community, as well as in nearby areas, may be used in attaining this goal. A local physician serves as medical adviser to the Health Center team.

The Health Center is an on-campus facility where wellness is emphasized. In addition, the professional nurses assess illnesses, injuries, and a student's need to be seen by a physician. The professional nursing staff is available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Grinnell College students may also access walk-in mental health counseling, with an unlimited number of sessions, by coming to the Health Center. This free service is provided by Poweshiek County Mental Health Center in conjunction with Grinnell College and is available to students Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Poweshiek County Mental Health Center (MHC) maintains an office at 96 Fourth Avenue West where counseling by a psychologist, social worker, a mental health counselor, or psychiatrist is available. Through an arrangement with the College, one initial intake and seven counseling sessions are available, free of charge, to each student per year. Protracted therapy may be arranged on a private basis with fees on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. Students need not have a serious emotional problem to utilize the center's services. Counselors will speak with students about any problems they are encountering. The MHC telephone number is 641-236-6137. Students may make appointments privately or through any counselor, faculty member, residence life coordinator, or a Student Affairs or Health Center staff member. Students' records at the Mental Health Center are confidential. College officials cannot access them without the student's permission.

Students taking medication routinely administered by injection, such as insulin, must contact the Health Center. A Health Center employee will give the student a sharp disposal container for used needles and syringes. When the container is filled, it must be returned to the Health Center for proper disposal and replacement. This is a requirement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Overnight care for students who do not require hospitalization is provided as part of the health fee by the College Sub-Acute Care Program at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Students are admitted to the program by Health Center nurses and following a physician's assessment.

If a student has a complicated or newly diagnosed medical condition, he/she is urged to choose a local physician before the need to be seen occurs. Students also are encouraged to make appointments with physicians through the Health Center. This helps coordinate health care and transportation. Payment is requested at the time of a physician's appointment. Students are asked to process the insurance claim, unless they have the College insurance.

Many pamphlets and circulars are available at the Health Center on several topics. The Health Center nurses are available to present health topics of interest to any student group upon request.

All students must submit a completed health form to the Health Center in order to register for classes.

Condoms are available at the Health Center. Two condoms are dispensed upon request. There are eight condom dispensing machines maintained weekly by the Health Center.

The Student Affairs office, in conjunction with the Health Center, provides information and educational programming on various health and wellness issues relating to the student population on campus. Student Affairs is committed to health and wellness education by supporting the implementation of groups such as the Student Health and Wellness Committee and by providing funding for various types of educational programming.

Students are required to carry health insurance while attending Grinnell. Students are encouraged to maintain full coverage through a parental or personal policy. Students who are insured under a policy other than the one offered by the College should provide insurance information on their health card. Students who do not return insurance information on their health card will be required to purchase insurance through the College and will be enrolled in the College's student group insurance. They will be billed for the cost of the insurance. Premiums are payable to the Cashier. Insurance brochures and claim forms are available from the Health Center. All bills and completed claim forms should be mailed directly to the insurance provider at: Student Assurance Services, P.O. Box 196, Stillwater, MN 55082. Students should know the details of their coverage and their policy number. The Health Center should be notified when a change in insurance occurs.