Mission Statement

Western Carolina University

Health Center

Our Mission:

The primary mission of the Western Carolina University Health Center is to provide uncomplicated access to quality health care provided by compassionate staff who is dedicated to making health care accessible and affordable for students. To promote personal, social and intellectual development and well-being that meet the health needs of a diverse campus community through ethically sound practice, confidentiality, and integrity.

Our purpose is directed toward enhancing the student’s educational experience by modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning, promoting optimal wellness, and enabling individuals to make informed decisions about health related concerns. We strive to empower students to be self-directed and well-informed consumers of health care services.

The Health Center also offers quality cost-effective urgent care to WCU’s faculty and staff.

Our Values:

Excellence

We strive to meet or exceed patient/customer needs and expectations and work as a team to improve every aspect of care and service.

Integrity

Develop a consumer-friendly staff who are smiling, attentive, and caring; a staff who proactively anticipate and remove barriers to health care, solicit and respond to feedback, and treat patients with respect and exemplary service.

Diversity

Appreciate the diversity of our campus community and provide services in a manner that honors each individual as a unique human being. Improve access to culturally competent healthcare for the University community.

Collaboration

Build collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with health resources on campus and in the surrounding community that contribute to the academic success of our students and to the enrichment of our University colleagues.

Respect

Deal honestly with patients and assure they receive competent medical service with compassion and respect for human dignity. Practice ethical behavior that respects the rights and confidentiality of patients and colleagues. Provide our services honestly and with integrity.

Life-Long Learning

Contribute to the teaching and research missions of the University by providing

students with educational opportunities and practical experiences in health care, and by promoting professional growth for our students.

Mercy

We work to create a caring and compassionate environment responsive to the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of all persons.

Trust

We say what we mean and do what we say.

Patient Rights:

To be treated with respect, dignity, and consideration of the individual patient's values and beliefs.
To be free from mental, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, neglect, and exploitation while under the care of the Health Center.
To receive the best care available for your problem, without regard to national origin, race, age, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or illness.
To know the identity and professional status of individuals providing your care.
To obtain from the provider, to the degree known, information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
To be informed about the outcomes of your health care, including unanticipated outcomes.
To have your pain assessed, treated and managed appropriately.
To participate in decisions involving your health care and in resolving conflicts about care decisions.
To refuse care, treatment, or services in accordance with law and regulation and to be informed of the medical consequences of such action.
To refuse participation in research studies.
To confidential treatment of disclosures and records, and to approve or refuse the release of such information, except where release is required by law.
To a safe and accessible environment.
To receive an itemized statement of the services provided by the Health Center, and information about fees and payment policies upon request.
To voice concerns and/or recommend changes in policies and services.
To request a referral to another health care provider for a second opinion concerning your health issues.

Patient Responsibilities:

To provide, to the best of your ability, accurate and complete information needed to assure your proper evaluation and treatment.
To follow treatment plans recommended by your provider and to ask questions or discuss concerns with the provider when you do not understand or agree with the plan of treatment.
To be respectful and considerate of other patients, the Health Center staff and facility.
To keep appointments reliably and promptly or to notify the Health Center when you are unable to do so.
To fulfill financial obligations for your care in a timely manner.
To be familiar with your health insurance coverage and provide information necessary for appropriate provider referral, if needed.
To be responsible for taking prescribed medications properly and not sharing your medication with others.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All medical contracts and visits are strictly confidential. We will not release any information about your visit, your medical history, or current health status to any unauthorized individual without your expressed consent. This includes parents, faculty members, and anyone else who may request information from the UHC without your permission or a court order.

In certain cases of emergency intervention, danger to one’s self or others, or court ordered testimony, state laws and professional ethics may mandate that we release specific information.

The WCU Health Center does not discriminate due to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual preference, or marital status.

(Rev. 2003)