The R.N. Ellington Health Center is now offering limited appointments and extra hours to cut down on wait time.

Appointments are requiered for services like gynecological (GYN) exams and HPV vaccines, but the health center now takes appointments for other services as well.

The health center will also now charge students for GYN exams, though the cost will be less than at an outside facility, said Kitty Parrish, director of health services.

Parrish said she already sees the new appointment system helping with wait time, although lunchtime is still a problem.

“There will still be times when it’s a bottleneck, but mostly it’s moved smoothly,” she said. “We’re always looking for ways to make wait time less.”

The health center aims to switch to appointments only in the future, but currently lacks the staff to do so.

“I think if they leave a couple slots open for walk-ins but have mostly appointments, that would be good,” sophomore Jenn Schafer said.

The health center averages about 15 appointments per day, and still experiences a flow of walk-ins.

“For those of us who live in Danieley, if you’re going to the health center it’s generally a planned event because of the long walk,” sophomore Vince Barrett said. “Not having to wait in that line could be a great help.”

News Editor: Kaitlin Ugolik - 09/12/07