Health Services

Mission Statement

The mission of Health Services is to keep students healthy by promoting wellness, and prevention of disease in a caring environment, which respects students’ dignity, diversity, and privacy. Our goal is to help students become full participants in their healthcare.

Confidentiality Statement

All medical records at BHS are strictly confidential. Information about a student's care will be released only with the student's written permission. All BHS staff adhere to established ethical principles and codes of professional practice, including patient confidentiality. All information concerning students' visits to BHS, including their identity, the reason for any visit, and any diagnosis or treatment is considered confidential information.

There are exceptions to confidentiality wherein BHS may disclose information from medical records including:

• Imminent Threat to Health or Safety. When needed in a psychiatric or medical emergencies
• Collaboration with the Care Team. The University is required by law to have a trained threat assessment team. There are times when health services staff will share such information when, in an effort to ensure the safety of the University and its community members, it is deemed such limited sharing of information is advisable.
• Abuse/Neglect. Mandatory reporting of child, elder, and dependent adult abuse and in the case of credible threats of violence toward a reasonably identifiable person.
• Judicial or Administrative Proceedings. Appropriate releases and consultation with legal counsel will inform next steps.

To Schedule an Appointment

Call 401-232-6220 and select 1. In the event of an emergency or when Health Services is closed, EMTs are available through the Department of Public Safety at 401-232-6911. Visit appointments are required.

All full-time students who are registered for classes at Bryant University have access to health care at Health Services. There is no fee for services offered, however, we strongly urge every student to maintain adequate health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses.

COVID Policy

Protocol Updates

These updates are in alignment with the ending of the COVID Public Health Emergency, as well as the current recommendations from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It is encouraged that all students bring a supply of “at home”/rapid antigen tests to campus with them, as we continue to see that most cases of COVID in our population are mild and do not require a visit with a medical provider.

Testing Positive: Isolation Policy and Missing Classes (updated 4/3/2024)

In a recent update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) have announced that there is no longer a set isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19. The recommendation is that people stay home and away from others until their symptoms are getting better and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol and Motrin. Note that depending on the length of symptoms, this period could be shorter, the same, or longer than the previous guidance for COVID-19.  

Excuse Policy

Bryant Health Services, along with many college health centers nation-wide, does not routinely provide verification of illness forms to students requesting a medical excuse note for classes or activities.

When students request appointments for the purpose of obtaining excuse notes this reduces the number of available appointment times for those students who have immediate healthcare needs. In addition, common medical reasons for missing classes, exams or work (such as colds, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, etc.) do not lend themselves to retrospective objective confirmation.

We encourage students to familiarize themselves with class attendance policies and to notify their faculty if they are unable to attend, preferably before class or the missed assignment. This aligns with our mission of helping students become full participants in their healthcare.

Financial Policy

There is no fee to be seen in Health Services and Health Services does not bill insurance.  At times additional testing may be required as part of medical treatment and such services may need to be provided by community partners who do bill insurance. This could include laboratory work or tests, x-rays, medication prescriptions, specialist referrals, and additional diagnostic testing. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that insurance is up to date and that any outside referrals are in-network.

Incoming Student Health Requirements

Please complete ALL required steps below by July 31st, 2024. Student health records will not be verified as compliant if any information is missing. 

1) From Your Primary Care Provider: 

• Documentation of Physical performed on or after July 1st, 2023, signed by medical provider 
• Documentation of required immunizations signed by medical provider 
  • TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) 
    • 1 dose within the last 10 years 
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) 
    • 2 doses 
  • Hepatitis B 
    • 3 doses 
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) 
    • 2 doses 
  • Quadrivalent Meningitis (ACWY) 
    • 1 dose at age 16 or older 

2) Upload to Student Health Portal 

• Copy of signed physical 
• Copy of signed immunization record 
• Copy of insurance card (front & back) 

3) Input on Student Health Portal Under Immunizations Tab 

• Required immunization dates 

4) Electronic Forms on Student Health Portal 

• Complete Bryant University Health Services Informed Consent 
• Complete Emergency Contacts 
• Complete Registration and Health History Form 
• Complete Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Screening Form 

Services Offered and Services Not Available

Please see below for medical care provided on site at Health Services and a list of services that are not provided on campus.

Services Offered

Acute (short-term) Illnesses 

• Cough/Colds 
• Flu
• Rashes/Bug Bites 
• Fevers 
• Stomach Symptoms 
• Ear Problems 
• Eye Problems 
• Headaches
• Urinary Tract Infections 
• Prescription Medication for Acute Illness 

Minor Injuries 

Removal of Stitches/Staples 

Testing/Treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) 

Contraceptives (Birth Control) 

Pap (Cervical Cancer) Screening

Immunizations/Vaccines 

Basic Wound Care 

Services Not Available 

Chronic (long-term) Illnesses 

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Seizures 
• High Blood Pressure
• Routine Physical Exams 
• Routine Eye Exams 
• Dental Problems 
• Prescription Medication for Chronic Illness 
• Controlled Substance Prescriptions (including medications for ADHD/ADD)

Serious Injuries Placement of Stitches/Staples

Allergy Shots

On-site pharmacy

Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan

Bryant University provides access to a Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. All International Students are automatically enrolled in coverage and are given the opportunity to waive. Before you waive coverage, check your current coverage carefully as frequently students arrive on campus without adequate coverage, especially if covered by a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a managed care plan that has limited or no benefits in the Smithfield, RI area. Make sure you are fully covered while on campus and throughout the policy year for inpatient and outpatient hospitalization, diagnostic testing and x-ray services, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Also, be aware of any deductibles required by your current plan. All full-time students at Bryant University are eligible to enroll in this insurance plan.