Julia Guerrero EDINBURG– UT Health RGV Student Health has clinics on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses but not many students know enough about their services.
“I’ve seen plenty of times when students have asked, they post a question saying, you know, what kind of or where can I go see a doctor, you know, for very cheap or free, is there even a clinic?” Angelica Velasquez, Student Marketing advisor, said.
As a UTRGV student, a medical service fee is paid in mandatory fees each semester. Thirty dollars each Spring semester and $15 per summer term. The fee provides students with access to health clinics in Edinburg which are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clinics offer general medicine, women’s health, pharmacy and immunizations while supplies last.
According to Amaro Salinas Jr., UTRGV Student Health assistant director, the visits are discreet and no appointments are needed for students to be seen at the clinic. The initial visits have no fee and low-cost prescriptions are available.
“Any charges will go to their student account, so they don’t have to pay here,” Salinas said. “They do not have to pay it right away. They could wait till they get either financial aid or they’re waiting on a loan, or they are waiting on anything. So, it’s not something they have to pay right away.”
Salinas said following the peak of the COVID 19 COVID-19 pandemic, the clinics noticed a drop in patient visits, which is why outreach is a priority. To attract patients and help ease minds, Student Marketing Advisor, Michelle Ortiz said the clinics will have an event next month.
“Next month we’re doing goat yoga for select students on both campuses. So, it’ll be a way like a de-stressor of an event before finals and before they go to Thanksgiving break,” Ortiz said.
For more information on the UT Health RGV Student Health services, visit utrgv.edu/health-services.
