On behalf of the entire Department of Student Health and Wellness (SHW), welcome to the University of Virginia! We are glad to have you as part of our community. Our Department serves our community by providing excellent care for our students, leading public health initiatives, and conducting nationally renowned research. We help students optimize their well-being and health through the following services:
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): CAPS provides an array of services including group therapy, brief individual therapy, psychiatric services, TimelyCare, care management, emergency and crisis services, and outreach programming.
- Medical Services: Medical Services provides a broad range of outpatient care, including preventative screening and services, office-based procedures, travel medicine, immunizations, same-day observation, and an allergy clinic. Our staff is experienced in addressing acute and chronic health concerns and stays up-to-date on emerging issues.
- Office of Health Promotion (OHP): OHP comprises a team of public health professionals, and offers nutrition appointments, well-being conversations through WahooWell, a Collegiate Recovery Program for our students in recovery from substance use disorders, and student development in our peer health education and internship programs.
- Student Disability Access Center (SDAC): SDAC works to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to participate fully in UVA programming and opportunities across Grounds. Our staff achieves this goal through the provision of academic accommodations, support services, advocacy, and educational training throughout the University community.
If students need care beyond what SHW can offer, we assist with referrals in our community.
Important Deadlines
- August 1st: The Pre-Entrance Health Form is due for all new, incoming UVA students (graduate, undergraduate, and transfer).
- July 20th - August 31st: Health insurance enrollment/verification period to fulfill UVA's health insurance requirement, which applies to both new and returning students.
Student Health and Wellness Building
The UVA Student Health and Wellness building, located at 550 Brandon Ave, serves as both a student center and the home of the Department of Student Health and Wellness. Our state-of-the-art facility features spaces designed to promote student well-being, including a teaching kitchen, student lounge and living room, an art therapy room, and more. Departmental services include all SHW listed above, as well as a UVA Health satellite Student Pharmacy and Laboratory, Radiology, the Student Health Office of Research Excellence (SHORE), and the Gordie Center.
Accessing Our Services
There are no charges for your student’s visits with care providers (e.g., physician, nurse practitioner, mental health clinician, nutritionist, etc.) at SHW as they are covered by the comprehensive fee, which is paid through UVA’s tuition and fees. Some services and supplies incur a charge, such as immunizations, injections, and medical supplies, which students can submit to their insurance for reimbursement. More information about these potential fees can be found on our Student Charges webpage. Our building has the benefit of housing a satellite UVA Health laboratory and pharmacy. Students should always bring their insurance card when they visit SHW in case they need to use these ancillary services.
Please know that my team and I are here for your Hoo. Our services will continue both in-person and via virtual care appointments when the fall semester starts. We have worked hard to make sure that we can care for our students in the way that is most effective, convenient, and accessible for them.
I encourage both you and your student to explore website and learn more about SHW and how we can help before and after classes begin. College is not only a time for students to succeed academically, but also to learn important skills to prepare them for life beyond college. SHW works to ensure that by the time a student graduates, they are able to understand and manage their own well-being and health, and to make health care decisions independently. We look forward to supporting your student during their time at the University of Virginia!
Sincerely,
Meredith Hayden, MD
Interim Executive Director, SHW