Karen Cochran, Director of Health Services Forum, 1119 Sixth Ave.
641-269-3230

The Grinnell College Health Center is an on-campus facility where wellness is emphasized. 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. The professional nursing staff is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The professional nurses assess illnesses, injuries, and a student’s need to be seen by a physician. A local physician serves as medical adviser to the Health Center team. Grinnell College students may access Walk-in counseling services 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 5:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

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 are not ill enough to be hospitalized is provided as part of the health fee by the Grinnell College/Grinnell Regional Medical Center Sub-Acute Care Program at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Students are admitted to the program, based on bed availability, by Health Center or Grinnell Regional Medical Center Emergency Room staff.

There must be a physician’s assessment before admission to the Sub-Acute Care Program.

If a student has a complicated or newly diagnosed medical condition, he or she is urged to choose a local physician before the need to be seen occurs. Students are encouraged to make appointments with physicians through the Health Center. This helps coordinate health care and transportation. Transportation to medical appointments in Grinnell is available free of charge. Transportation to out-of-town medical appointments is arranged by the Health Center staff on a need basis at the expense of the student.

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