Even though most George Washington University students are not on campus, the Colonial Health Center is still offering a number of resources this summer to reach students wherever they are.
"As we continue to go through the COVID-19 pandemic together, we want to remind our students that we are here for them 24/7 for medical and mental health care,” said Isabel Goldenberg, director of medical services at the Colonial Health Center. “Our recent extension of telemedicine capabilities to include video medical consultation and counseling means students will experience more personal services from wherever they are."
The available resources range from telehealth video visits for physical and mental health to virtual workshops with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Students are also eligible for free COVID-19 diagnostic testing through the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) with any in-network Aetna provider.
The video consultation and counseling service adds a personal touch to the student health experience, said Jessica Parrillo, director of CAPS, particularly during these uncertain times.
"The mental health and well-being of our students is paramount as we face new emotional and mental health challenges due to COVID-19, but self-isolation and stay-at-home orders do not mean students are alone in facing this crisis,” Dr. Parillo said. “The GW CAPS team supports our students whenever and wherever they need help, so we’re only a click or a call away.”
Take a look at what the health center offers this summer:
Medical Services
- Call 202-994-5300 option 1, to speak with a provider and schedule an appointment for the following:
- Telemedicine video visits--A scheduled medical visit with a CHC clinician by video conferencing through Zoom.
- Medical advice regarding acute issues--Call to speak with a CHC clinician to discuss a sudden onset of symptoms, and they will provide you with medical advice.
- Prescription refills--Call to speak with a clinician to receive a refill on a prescription.
- Lab and radiology orders/referrals--Call to speak with a clinician to receive a request for a laboratory test or radiology order, such as a CT scan or X-ray.
- Specialist referrals—Call to speak with a clinician to receive a referral to a medical specialist, such as a dermatologist or physical therapist.
- Medical form completion—Call to speak with a clinician to have a medical form completed, such as a physical or documentation for traveling.
Psychiatry Services
- Call 202-994-5300 option 3, to speak with our Psychiatric Case Manager to schedule an initial consultation appointment with a CHC Psychiatrist.
- Telemedicine video visits
- Phone consultations
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Call 202-994-5300 option 2, to speak with a counselor 24/7. CAPS is providing:
- Phone consultations
- Short-term tele-therapy services for local students--Call to speak with a counselor for a phone consultation, then scheduled counseling visits by video conferencing through Zoom are available.
- Virtual workshops: Virtual We Talk Series—"Virtual We Talk” is a drop-in program for students, where they are offered an informal, friendly consultation with counseling staff alongside peers with similar backgrounds/interests. The workshops are offered noon to 1 p.m. Monday – Friday, June 8 – July 31 via Webex with the password: CAPS.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Resources
- Call 202-994-5300 option 4, to speak with a Student Health Insurance Coordinator to discuss questions about the Student Health Insurance Plan.
- Aetna SHIP COVID-19 benefits extended through Sept. 30, including:
- Free COVID-19 diagnostic testing
- Free telemedicine visits relating to COVID-19
- No cost sharing for inpatient admissions to help treat COVID-19 or related health complications
- Free delivery on CVS Pharmacy prescriptions
- Aetna SHIP COVID-19 benefits extended through Sept. 30, including:
