Available Services

Medical Services provides primary care for students, including diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries. When a consultation with a specialist is needed, referrals are made to appropriate physicians. After an outside consultation, Health Services medical providers follow up with the student as well as specialists, hospitals, and other agencies to ensure proper communication and continuity of care.

Preventing illness is preferable to treating it. Medical Services therefore offers routine preventive care services, including physical examinations; GYN health care; emergency contraception; travel health; LGBTQ health care; PEP, PrEP, and STI screening and treatment; HIV testing; immunizations; cholesterol screening; blood pressure monitoring; tuberculosis skin testing (PPD); vision screening for driver’s license; nutritional guidance; smoking cessation; and dental referrals.

Gynecological routine care and sexual health counseling are available. Our medical providers will make referrals if in-person care is needed.  

After a consultation with a provider, students may be referred for an IUD or Nexplanon device or prescriptions may be provided for other contraceptive methods, including birth control pills, to be filled at an outside pharmacy. 

Medical and counseling staff are available to help students with any questions or concerns they have about issues like sexually transmitted infections and diseases (chlamydia, herpes, syphilis, HPV, etc.), sexual functioning, social and emotional issues, and birth control. In addition, therapists are available to speak with students who have questions about sexual relationships, gender identity, or body image. Sex positivity and sex education workshops are available upon request.

Students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Gender-Non-Conforming, may have health questions and concerns specific to their sexual orientation, sexual identity, or gender identity that they want to discuss with their medical provider. Our staff members welcome these questions and strive to create an inclusive and responsive health and wellness service for all students.

Medical Services provides the latest health information for travel. If you need a vaccine for travel, we will refer you to a local health center that has the required immunizations. The earlier you prepare for your trip abroad, the better. Please contact us as soon as you know you are traveling to determine your travel health needs. We advise you to schedule an appointment at least four to six weeks before your trip if possible. If you are planning a long trip, as for study abroad, it is advisable that you schedule an appointment eight to 12 weeks in advance. Please check with your insurance carrier about coverage. Also bring records of prior immunizations with you to your appointment if possible. You can obtain additional information about staying healthy while you are traveling on the Centers for Disease Control Travel Health website.

We are not providing on-site vaccination clinics for fall 2020.

Additional information about immunizations can be obtained on the Centers for Disease Control website.

Students will be referred to an outside laboratory for any laboratory tests needed. The laboratory site will bill you or your health insurance provider. 

You can obtain information about HIV testing from your medical provider.

If you need assistance finding testing sites outside of New York City, email shs@newschool.edu for assistance. 
 
You can find free or low-cost HIV testing locations in New York City in the following ways:

• Visiting an NYC sexual health clinic, where anyone 12 or older can get a confidential, anonymous test
• Searching the NYC Health Map
• Texting TESTNYC to 877-877
• Calling 311

You can also purchase a kit with which to test yourself at home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, you can request a free home HIV test kit.

If you need assistance finding testing sites outside of New York City, email shs@newschool.edu. 

Certain medications can be dispensed by our staff following a consultation. If you need to fill or renew a prescription, you must use your insurance coverage or pay at an outside pharmacy.

You can discuss any concerns or questions you have with the medical staff. Although the vast majority of concerns can be managed by Medical Services, in some instances a referral is needed. If you are given a referral, your Medical Services provider will communicate with the specialist to ensure continuity of care.  Please note that visits to outside specialists are subject to insurance deductibles and co-payments.

Student Health Services offers an after-hours nurse advice line that is available to students in the United States. Experienced nurses will provide you with medical guidance, health information, decision-making assistance, and referrals. Call 1.866.907.4894 after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.