October 10, 2012 

 

Contacts:

Darla Tyler-McSherry, Student Health Services, 657-2564
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

 

Students, faculty, staff can find out more on Monday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 17 

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — In a reinvigorated relationship to help provide healthcare services for Montana State University Billings students, the university’s Student Health Services staff and St. Vincent Healthcare are working to help provide more hours of professional provider services and have opened a new location at the City College campus.

 

Student Health Services staff

It’s all a part of making sure MSU Billings students get the immediate help they need — from handling cold and flu symptoms to counseling services — when they need them, said Darla Tyler-McSherry, the director of Student Health Services at MSU Billings.

 

“We’re really excited to be able to do this for our students,” Tyler-McSherry said. “We think it’s going to be a huge benefit for them.”

 

The partnership has been in place for a number of years, she said, but changes are now in place this semester. One thing students will notice is more immediate response to their needs. The number of hours a nurse is available to see students remains about the same, but the availability of nurse practitioners has increased dramatically.  What used to be a little more than 12 hours a week for those is now up to 23, Tyler-McSherry said.

 

St. Vincent Healthcare officials said the partnership is important part of their community outreach and service.

“St. Vincent Healthcare is excited about our invigorated partnership with Montana State University Billings,” said John Kinna, executive director of the St. Vincent Physician Network. “We are pleased to be partnering with MSUB to provide quality advanced practice professionals when and where the students in our community need it.”

 

The professional staff working on a daily basis with Tyler-McSherry are Stacy Stellflug, a nurse practitioner at St. Vincent Healthcare who serves as the Medical Director for Student Health Services; Renee’ Wheeler, a St. Vincent registered nurse; and Jordan Teller, a St. Vincent nurse practitioner.

 

Professional services for students are now available at two locations: at the Student Health Services offices at the University Campus location on the second floor of Petro Hall and in a new space on the second level of the Tech Building on the City College Campus. That gives students increased opportunities to get the services they need and “be seen right away,” Tyler-McSherry said.

 

To help get students and the university community more acquainted with the staff, facilities and hours, two open houses will be held next week:

 

Monday, Oct. 15

  • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • City College Student Commons (3803 Central Ave., formerly the College of Technology)
  • Join staff for a lunch-and-learn conversation on health issues directly related to students. The St. Vincent HELP Flight helicopter will also be at City College so students can learn more about that service. A brief discussion of the program will be led by a HELP Flight flight nurse.
  • Healthy snacks available for stressed-out students
  • Students can also sign up for some great door prizes

Wednesday, Oct. 17

  • 3-5 p.m.
  • Petro Hall, 2nd floor
  • Join staff for short tours of the remodeled space and learn about the hours of service.
  • Healthy snacks and stress kits available for stressed-out students
  • Students can also sign up for some great door prizes

All current students taking seven or more credits are eligible to use the clinical and mental health/counseling services at the Student Health Services locations. The fee is paid for at time of registration. Students who take six or fewer credits can access the services with an optional fee of $58.50.

 

Serving along with Tyler-McSherry and the St. Vincent professionals is a host of other staff. They include:

  • Office Manager Therese Evangeline
  • Medical Secretary Amy Davis
  • City College Registered Nurse Jana Olson
  • Mental Health Counselors Linda Crummett, Judy Silverman, Amber McDermott and Marie Schaff Gallagher, who is also an adjunct team member from the MSU Billings psychology department
  • Health Educator Triniti Halverson
  • Work-study students Morgan Riggs and Shelby Bunker, who works as the health service’s tobacco-control specialist.
  • MSU Bozeman nursing students Sam Forsythe and Kelsey Newton

Hours for the University Campus Student Health Services clinic and counseling service are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 657-2153.

 

City College Student Health Service hours for the clinic are Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Counseling hours are Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 8-11 a.m.  The phone number is 247-3027.

 

PHOTO ABOVE: The staff who assist students with various healthcare needs at the MSU Billings Student Health Services offices are, left to right. Stacy Stellflug, a St. Vincent Healthcare nurse practitioner who serves as the Medical Director; Darla Tyler-McSherry, director of the MSU Billings Student Health Services; Renee’ Wheeler, a registered nurse at St. Vincent; and Jordan Teller, a nurse practitioner at St. Vincent.