Primary Care

Penn State York has an agreement with Family First Health, a federally qualified health center, with locations across the York campus service area.  A community health worker is available to meet with students one-on-one to connect the student to comprehensive primary care through the Family First network.  Family First participates with many health insurance plans, including the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State and offers fee-for-service on a sliding scale to those who are uninsured.

Community Health Worker

A community health worker (CHW) is available in the Penn State York Office of Student Affairs, Room 206, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Center, on Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.  CHWs connect students to primary care, help increase student’s health knowledge, provide social support and advocate for wellness needs.

Services available through the Family First network include

  • Medical care
  • Dental care
  • Health insurance navigation
  • Maternal/child health
  • HIV/AIDS services
  • Substance use services
  • Sexual health
  • Wellness education

Family First Locations (with distance from campus)

  • Hannah Penn Health Center (0.9 mi.)
  • George Street Center (1.7 mi.)
  • Columbia Center (14.8 mi.)
  • Lewisberry Center (18.4 mi.)
  • Hanover Center (23.2 mi.)
  • Also locations in Gettysburg and Lebanon

Community Health Workers

Sandra Frecon, [email protected], contact phone: 717-779-5521.

Make an appointment on Calendly to see the community health worker.

Telephone: 717-916-4087 or 717-771-8419

Campus Blood Drives

Blood drives are held on campus each semester. Students may sign up for an appointment to donate or may drop in at their convenience.  Blood donations collected from the campus blood drives stay and are used in the Central Pennsylvania region.

Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention and Education

Penn State York participates in the CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey to assess student behaviors. Student Affairs staff are trained on alcohol and other drug issues and make referrals to providers in the York community. Alcohol Awareness activities are held to raise awareness and provide education around risk reduction.

Required Immunizations

Incoming Degree-Seeking Students

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

To satisfy Penn State vaccine requirements, students must provide proof of:

  • Two doses of Measles (Rubeola), two doses of Mumps and one dose of Rubella OR
  • Two doses of the MMR vaccine OR
  • Results from a blood test showing immunity

The first dose must have been given on or after the student's first birthday. Dose two must have been given at least four weeks after dose one.

Students Living in University Housing

Meningococcal

In addition to the MMR requirement, all students living in University housing must supply proof of the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4): also known as Menveo, Menactra. This vaccine is effective against the most common meningococcal infections caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine administered at age 16 or older is required.

Full details on immunization requirements and how to submit health records is available at the myUHS website.

Student Health Insurance Program

Penn State's Student Insurance Office offers a comprehensive student insurance program to all Penn State students. Open enrollment periods are held at the start of each semester. Costs, coverages, and claim forms are available through the SHIP for Penn State website.

Counseling and Psychological Services

A licensed professional counselor is available on campus to assist students with concerns. Find out more information on personal counseling.

A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Assault

Because sexual assault is everyone’s problem, it is important for all Penn State students to know where to turn for help and what to do if they or a friend are a victim of sexual harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct or exploitation, stalking, dating violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, or retaliation. Whether the perpetrator was a stranger, acquaintance, close friend, or date, there are certain services you should be aware of in order to get the treatment you need. Sexual touching, fondling, penetration, or forced sex acts without explicit consent are considered sexual assault.

Unfortunately, these incidents do not discriminate; they happen to men and women, straight couples and same sex couples, etc.

Penn State York offers medical treatment, emotional support, and access to legal information to student survivors of sexual assault. Health care options, resources for psychological care, and sources of legal information are summarized below. You may wish to review them and contact the various services as you need them while you are healing from the experience. All services to survivors are confidential, except that physicians and hospital personnel are required by law to report sexual assaults to the police. It is the victim’s choice, however, whether or not to talk to the police.

If you are sexually assaulted:

  1. Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
  2. Try to preserve all physical evidence. *Do not bathe, douche, use the toilet, or change clothing.
  3. Contact the police.
  4. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
  5. Contact a close friend who can be with you until you feel safe again. Your friend can also accompany you to the medical exam and/or police department.
  6. You may be feeling a variety of strong emotions—fear, anxiety, depression, guilt, disorientation, powerlessness, shame, shock, disbelief, embarrassment, denial, and anger.
  7. You may be feeling a number of physical problems—sleep disturbances, nausea, stomach problems, change in eating habits, or nightmares.
  8. You may be confused and alone, wondering if you should tell your family and friends or how you should tell them.
  9. You may be feeling that, even though the sexual assault occurred a while ago, you would now like to talk to someone about what happened.
  10. You will likely find it helpful to read information about making a report with Penn State’s Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response or to access reporting and support resources at Penn State York and in our local community; and contact one of our counselors at [email protected] or 717-771-4088.

Medical Treatment

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after and as a follow-up to sexual assault to determine the presence of physical injury, sexually transmissible diseases, or pregnancy, and to obtain evidence to assist in criminal prosecution. Ideally, physical evidence should be collected immediately, but it can be collected up to but no later than 72 hours following a sexual assault. This special exam includes the collection of evidence that may be used in a criminal prosecution. It is recommended to evaluate your physical condition as well as to maintain all of your legal options. The exam is performed by an emergency physician. A nurse is present throughout the procedure and a same-sex friend and/or advocate can also be present. The York Hospital emergency department follows national standards for victim care and is a recognized location in York County for the sexual assault exam and evidence collection. If you are a woman and have been sexually assaulted, there is a risk for a resulting pregnancy. There is a medication that may reduce this risk by as much as 75 percent; It is called Emergency Contraceptive Pills or ECP. This pill must be administered within 72 hours of the sexual assault to be effective. The ECP is available over the counter for women 18-years-old or older. For women students younger than 18, a prescription by a physician is required.

Medical Fees

There are at least three options to consider when paying for medical costs. To protect your privacy, the University will pay for the exam and routine tests. If you prefer, your private health insurance may cover the cost of the exam, follow-up care, and transportation. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program can cover these costs, providing yet another option for victims.

Police, Legal, and Student Conduct Services

Sexual assault is a crime. The University will support all students who choose to report all crimes; reporting is not the same as prosecuting. The decision to prosecute can be made at a later time. The Police Department in the jurisdiction where the rape occurs is in charge of investigating rapes and sexual assaults. The results of the emergency rape exam and evidence collection can be used by them to identify the assailant. You can call the police at 911.

Student Affairs assists in setting standards for student behavior that help maintain a safe University environment. If the respondent is a student, a complainant can file a complaint against the alleged party through that office. Disciplinary action is taken with due process and can include separation of the respondent from the University and removal from University property. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The phone number is 717-771-4045.

The District Attorney’s Office presents the state's case against accused individuals and others suspected of committing crimes. The district attorney (DA) evaluates the evidence and decides on the possibility of successful prosecution. The DA’s office is located in the York County Judicial Center at 45 N. George St. in York. The phone number is 717-771-9600. The office is open Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Community Resources

Please see the listing on our Personal Counseling page.