The Mission of Health Services to seek to promote optimal health and wellness through
the delivery of quality medical care and health education in a Christ-centered environment
in order that the student may grow intellectually, spiritually, physically, and socially.
Health Services is nurse directed walk-in clinic and is available free of charge to
provide health care and education to Ouachita Students, faculty and staff (with exception
of flu shots, TB skin test and minimal fee for allergy shots). The nurse strives to
empower the students with health care knowledge that enables them to make informed
decisions about health-related issues.
Requesting Immunization Records
Request a copy to be sent to you or another institution
- Print and complete an Authorization for Release of Medical Records form. Complete
the entire form and make sure you include your Printed Name and then a Signature.
Parents may only request the records if their student is a minor.
- Send the completed form to OBU Health Services Fax # 870-245-5244
- Health Services attempts to be prompt with processing the request but please plan
ahead for any deadlines you may have. It could take up to 14 days for processing.
- Health Services will fax your request if the fax number is made available. If it needs
to be mailed, the records will need to be released to you personally.
Authorization for release of medical records
Request a copy in person
- Come by the Health Services office located on the second floor of ESC
- Complete the Authorization to release medical records
- Upon staff availability you record will be provided to you at that time, it will be
mailed to your OBU box, or another time can be arranged to pick it up.
*Please keep copies of your records that are requested. Take a picture, keep in a
medical file or upload your records to the many available options on your digital
devices.
Steps to upload records to your portal
Services Available
- Evaluation of minor Illness (colds, sore throats, headaches, coughs, upset stomach
etc.)
- Over-the –Counter medications ( OTC) with instructions for use
- A Self Treatment Option for OTC medications
- Health and Wellness Information and Education
- Blood Pressure and Weight monitoring
- Minor trauma/injury care ( sprained ankles, first aid,)
- Equipment checkout such as crutches, wheel Chairs, Heating pads
- Referrals as needed to other Health Care Providers
- A resource to listen to your concerns and make appropriate referrals as needing to
our Counseling Services or other Health Care Providers
- Services for a minimal fee:
Available Healthcare
On campus: As a satellite clinic of Arkadelphia Clinic for Children and Young Adults, Dr.
Wesley Kluck is available to see students by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays
from 1-4 p.m. and Fridays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. He will file your insurance, but it
is your responsibility to see if he is in your network. The clinic also has a Cash
Pay option by request. Health Services can assist you in making the appointment by
calling 870-245-5244.
Medical clinic and health care provider list.
Mental Health: See Ouachita’s Counseling Services
Healthcare Insurance for Students
While a student at Ouachita, you will be responsible for any healthcare that is needed
other than the free services that are provided by our Health Services. Ouachita does
not offer healthcare insurance policies for students. Certain Programs on Campus require
you to have insurance such as our International Program (see our international student resources webpage) and our athletes (see our athletics website). You may visit www.healthcare.gov or there are many independent agents that are available to you to shop for individual
healthcare. It is advised that every student have an insurance card with them while
on campus. Please contact your provider prior to coming to determine your coverage
in this area. Many Healthcare insurance policies require you to use an approved network
or doctors, hospitals and clinics. Your insurance should be able to give you a list
of approved providers in the Arkadelphia area (Zip code 71923). This includes Emergencies,
Medical, Mental Health, Vision and Dental.
Ouachita Baptist University does not assume financial responsibility for professional
services that require physician; medical, surgical, or emergency services: or for
hospitalization. Students are financially responsible for any medical, dental, vision,
chiropractic and/or pharmacy bills.
Immunization Requirements and Recommendations
In accordance with the Arkansas State Board of Health Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization Requirement and Ouachita Baptist University Immunization requirements, all students are required
to provide legal proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.
MMR Vaccines:
Undergraduate: 2 MMRs
Foreign Born: 2 MMRs
Online: 1 MMR
Graduate: 1 MMR
International Students: If you are applying to Ouachita through our International Program, please contact
that office for the appropriate forms to complete.
To prove immunity, a copy of an official immunization record from a licensed medical
doctor, an authorized public health representative, or a military record must be uploaded
to your student info portal before being able to complete the registration process in their student portal prior
to the semester starting. An official record from another educational institution
in Arkansas is also acceptable. In lieu of receiving the vaccine, immunity can be
shown by providing documented evidence of appropriate serological testing. (Lab titers
for measles, mumps and rubella)
Exceptions include those students who were born prior to January 1, 1957, and those who have
applied for or received a medical or non-medical exemption (philosophical/religious
exemption) from the Arkansas Department of Health. The Arkansas Department of Health
can be contacted for the application by email at immunizations.section@arkansas.gov, by phone at 501-661-2169 or online at https://onlineimmunizationexemption.adh.arkansas.gov.
Once the Exemption Letter is received from the Arkansas Department of Health it can
be uploaded into your student portal. THIS MUST BE REQUESTED YEARLY PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SEMESTER.
Recommended Immunizations/Vaccines (not required)
Arkansas Act 1233 of 1999 requires us to inform you of a bacterial infection known
as meningitis. Although meningitis is rare, individuals who live in close proximity
to many others, such as residence halls, have a slightly higher risk of contracting
this disease. There is a vaccine available and Ouachita Baptist University recommends
that all students living in residence halls discuss receiving this vaccine with their
Health Care Provider. Per the CDC Meningococcal conjugate vaccines are designed to
protect against four serogroups (A, C, W, and Y), while serogroup B meningococcal
vaccines help protect against one serogroup (B). There are currently no meningococcal
vaccines that can help protect against all common serogroups that cause most meningococcal
disease.
The following are immunizations for incoming college students as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College Health Association
(ACHA). Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur on American campuses and this
can be a good time to update any immunizations to help prevent these diseases.
These are not required only recommended:
- Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis (TDAP) – Booster every 10 years
- HPV or Human Papilloma Vaccine – Three doses for lifetime immunity
- Hepatitis A Vaccine – Two doses for lifetime immunity
- Hepatitis B Vaccine – Three doses for lifetime immunity
- Influenza Vaccine – Offered Yearly
- (Meningitis Vaccine) – Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines and Serogroup B Meningococcal
Vaccines
Q: What if I can’t find my records, and I have already looked at the recommended places
but I know that I have had these Immunizations.
A: Some options would be to:
- Go ahead and get the 1st MMR at your local health department, physician’s office or many pharmacies now offer
that option. You will be able to get the 2nd MMR 28 days after the 1st one.
- You may also get a blood test or serological testing through your Health Care Provider
that shows you have immunity against the measles, mumps and rubella.
- Or you may request an exemption through the Arkansas Department of Health as explained
above in the Exemption Section.
Q: I am an undergraduate student and what if I have had only 1 MMR or can only locate
1 MMR do I need to get a second one?
A: Yes, we need a record of 2 MMRs on file or you may look into the Options from question
1.
Q: I am an online or graduate student, do I have to submit my immunization record?
A: Yes, if you ever come to the Ouachita campus for any reason the Arkansas Department
of Health requires that we have your proof of immunity for measles, mumps rubella
and a record of 1 MMR must be uploaded to your student portal. Since some of our online
and graduate classes do meet on campus on occasion, we will require proof of 1 MMR
for all online and graduate students. For other options, you may look into the options
from question 1.
Q: I am only taking one class on Ouachita’s campus; do I still need to upload my Immunization
records?
A: Yes you must upload your immunization records with 2 MMR’s or see the other options
in question 1.
Q: I have medical reasons that I cannot have the MMR vaccination, what should I do?
A: You will need to request that Exemption from the Arkansas Department of Health
and will have to have medical documentation from a health care provider on what the
medical reasons are. See the Exemption section above for more information
Q: I have an immunization exemption from another state; will that be acceptable?
A: No, only the Arkansas Department of Health can grant that exemption so you must request
that through them. See Exemption section for further instructions.
Q: Do I have to have a meningitis shot before coming to Ouachita?
A: No, It is not required but it is one of the highly recommended vaccines to get
prior to coming college. You can see more information on meningitis and recommendations
on the CDC website.
Q: My school has sent my immunizations in. Do I still need to upload them on my portal?
A: Yes, please upload the immunization records to your portal so this will help ensure
that you will not be put on HOLD when you do your final registration prior to the semester.
Tuberculosis Screening
If you were born outside the United States or have lived outside the U.S. for 6 months
or more, you will be required to submit records of Foreign Born Immunization and TB
Skin Testing. If you have been on Mission trips outside of the US, then it is highly
recommended that you get a TB skin test prior to coming on campus. Below is a TB questionnaire
to help you decide if you need to do the screening. Failure to do so may prevent the
student’s ability to register.
Tuberculosis skin test are available on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during clinic
hours. There is a small fee of $10. The student must return to the clinic in 48-72
hours to have the skin test read and receive proof of screening.
Tuberculosis Screening Form
Health and Authorization
There is a brief Health and Authorization form that is to be completed by the undergraduate
student and uploaded to their info portal prior to their entrance semester (??).
There is an Authorization portion of the form that is available for students to indicate
who is authorized for the Health Services staff to share protected health information
with. If a parent/guardian calls to discuss their student, Health Services is unable
to speak with them unless their student has given written permission.
Health & Immunization Form
Flu Shots
Flu Vaccine is available in Health Services annually for $20. Health Services does
not file any insurance but is able to give you a record of the shot that can be submitted
to your insurance company for reimbursement per their policy.
Allergy Injections
Allergy Shots are given during limited times in Health Services since there must be
a physician present. The student must coordinate between the ordering physician (allergist)
and the campus nurse. The nurse must have the orders from your physician and the serum
is to be left in Health Services. There is a $20 per semester fee for allergy injections.
See the Allergy Shot information sheet for additional information.
Class & Work Absences
It is the student’s responsibility to know the attendance policy of each individual
class. Ouachita Health Services will give the student a Record of Visit form upon
request at the time of the visit. Health Services will not give students chapel excuses.
Those must be discussed with Chapel Coordinator if there is an issue. If a student
is going to miss classes for an extended period due to medical reasons, then please
contact Health Services to discuss the situation and each case will be evaluated individually.
