Director's resignation from Health Services triggers idea for student wellness center

               ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. (March 26) -- Ill students fill the waiting room in Doyle Hall looking for medical care so they can get well and get back to their daily routine. For sophomore Thomas Chulick visits to Health Services at St. Bonaventure tend to be frustrating because he has had to wait up to an hour and a half to see the nurse or doctor.

 “If I’m sick I’m more likely to go home and see my original physician since I only live an hour and a half away,” said Chulick.

Frustrated students have criticized Health Services, but Richard Trietley, vice provost for Student Life, said changes are being made.

On March 7 Roger Keener, director of the Counseling Center, also became the director of Health Services after the resignation of Brandon Coburn.  Keener took this opportunity to expand the quality of medical care offered to students, said Trietley.

The owner of Olean Family Health Center, Zia Sheikh, a physician, opened his practice to Health Services and negotiated a contract within St. Bonaventure’s budget.  Students will be referred to Olean Family Health Center if there isn’t a doctor available at Health Services, said Trietley.

Meaghan O’Rourke, a journalism and mass communication and French double major, said she’s excited to see the new changes in Health Services.

“I think the contract will be a good change now that there is someone to write prescriptions and offer a second opinion,” said O’Rourke, a sophomore.

O’Rourke said she’ll be more likely to go to Health Services when she’s sick after over-the-counter medicine and sleep have failed her.

Trietley and Keener have ideas for the Counseling Center as well. 

 “We would like to move the Counseling Center from the Reilly Center to Doyle Hall," said Trietley.  "We want to merge Health Services and the Counseling Center to create a Student Wellness Center.  It would focus on all aspects of health including the emotional, physical and social well-being of students."

Keener said he wants healthy, happy students to promote St. Bonaventure.

“Students are the best recruiters for the university.  When you ask a student how they heard of St. Bonaventure many say from a current student or alumni," said Keener.

Keener said moving the Counseling Center to Doyle Hall could possibly attract more students because some feel uncomfortable going to the separate wing on the second floor of the Reilly Center.  

“Some teens don’t want others to know they go to counseling.  There is a stigma that only people with deep-seeded problems go to counseling,” said Keener.

 Jeanine Boerio, an English major, said she signed up for a counselor via email but can understand why students may feel uncomfortable because of its location.

“I’m personally not bothered by its location, but if people are worried about being seen going to the Counseling Center then I think the move could be a positive change,” said Boerio, a sophomore.

Chulick, a journalism and mass communication major, said he questions whether the change would be beneficial. 

“The university should research the topic before spending money on the move," said Chulick.  "They should see if other colleges or universities have student wellness centers that have been successful.  They also have to consider what they’ll do with the vacant space in the Reilly Center if they move the Counseling Center to Doyle Hall."

Keener said he wants to interrelate Health Services and the Counseling Center so students can be more educated on their personal and physical growth as young adults.

“I took this job because I want to make better connections with the students and improve the quality of student life on campus,” said Keener.