Along with its new first-floor location in the Thomas More Apartments at 2150 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston College University Health Services (UHS) has implemented an online portal students can use to schedule their own appointments.
Students can now go to the UHS website, click the online appointment tab, and log in with their BC credentials. A list of available appointments will appear, and students can book one via the portal.
Previously, students had to physically visit UHS or call to make an appointment.
Scott Jusseaume, associate director of UHS, set up the online appointment-booking system.
“This just allows students a little more freedom to schedule their own appointments,” Jusseaume said. “So if they are sick at 2 a.m. and want to see someone the next day for illness, they can get an appointment at that time.”
Students must book their appointments, however, via BC’s Wi-Fi, eduroam. This is in order to avoid a security breach into UHS’s protected health information network. Students who live off campus will be required to download an app to link into BC’s network.
The addition of the online appointment scheduling was phased in as a part of a two-year technological update project for UHS.
The new location of UHS will also serve as a benefit to students, according to Thomas Nary, director of UHS.
UHS was previously housed in Cushing Hall for 30 years. This facility lacked space when compared to other universities, according to Nary.
It was agreed two years ago that UHS would be moved, and it took a year to plan the move, as it required the help of the information technology department and an outside contractor.
The new facility is equipped with the newest technology and machinery. The space will also be able to handle a larger flow of students.
“We are extremely pleased to be in the new residence hall, a really luxurious building,” Nary said. “It gives us space consistent with other college health services and benchmark health clinics in general. It allows for more efficient handling of the volume of students we see each year and incorporation of current technology.”
Featured Image by Julia Hopkins / Heights Editor
