Thursday, January 22, 1998
Health Center moves to new location
HEALTH: Arthur Ashe Wellness Center gives students better
access
By Andy Shah
Daily Bruin Contributor
Picture this: you’re working out at the Wooden Center and
suddenly your knee gives out. Your face reddens with exasperation
at the thought of having to lug yourself to Student Health
Services, located on the outskirts of campus, for treatment.
Not anymore. With the opening of the new Arthur Ashe Student
Health and Wellness Center, that trip would be unnecessary. Located
in the Plaza Building next to the Wooden Center, this facility
provides students with medical care for minimal costs.
The $4.5 million building, which opened on Dec. 22, was named in
honor of the late Arthur Ashe, pro tennis legend and UCLA
alumnus.
"The best thing is that the center will allow us to give care to
more students because of the added efficiency in a convenient
location," said center director Dr. Ed Wiesmeier, assistant vice
chancellor for Student Development and Health.
Accessibility is only one benefit of moving from the basement of
the Center for Health Sciences, said Shelley Pearson, director of
Ancillary Services.
"We have a better configuration, more exam rooms, less waiting,
more privacy and the billing is taken care of here," Pearson
said.
Most of the medical services are free to students who have paid
their registration fees.
There are charges for a few services, such as certain lab tests,
immunizations, physicals and pharmaceutical needs. However, the
Medical Insurance Plan (MIP) may take care of most of those costs,
also.
The prices are "at cost," meaning the center makes no profit for
their services, according to Pearson.
The facility is divided into four floors, each one specializing
in a certain area. On the first floor, walk-in patients are taken
care of, as well as radiology, orthopedics, surgery and
dermatology.
The second floor houses the women’s and men’s health clinic,
internal medicine and social services. Specialty clinics and
primary care are on the third floor, and the administration is on
the fourth floor.
"We want to address the unique health care needs of students,"
Pearson said.
The response to the new center has been good.
"It is working the way we hoped. There’s a calm and professional
operation, and we’ve been very busy," Pearson said.
Most of the cases the center deals with are traumas and
injuries. However, all types of ailments, such as respiratory
infections, flu and allergies, are taken care of here.
Pearson says that because many UCLA students are athletic, there
is an emphasis on treating injuries related to sports and
fitness.
Pearson says waiting time has been reduced because "teams" of
clinicians work together to see patients. They strive to keep the
waiting time under an hour.
The automated phone system (825-4073) can be used to make
appointments, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Few new jobs were created at the center, as there was an equal
transfer of staff from the previous location.
Susan Hopkins-Deary, a certified nursing assistant, says the
move has been successful. "It’s a better location, we have more
space, and we’re more available to students. We love it," she
says.
"It’s less crowded," says Marilyn Contreras, a graduate student
in social welfare. "They have a friendly staff."
The configuration of the center is inviting, says Libby Rego, a
second-year undeclared student.
"It’s more organized and aesthetically pleasing," she says.
"That’s very vital because most students are afraid of
hospitals."
JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin
Students walk in to receive health services at the newly opened
Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center in the Plaza
Building.