ASHLAND, Ore. – La Clinica, a Jackson County-based group that provides accessible health care services to the community, will partner with Southern Oregon University to operate a Student Health and Wellness Center this fall.
SOU’s Student Health and Wellness Center has been on campus for more than 50 years, providing physical, behavioral, and reproductive health services to students. However, the center currently faces an imbalance between operating costs and revenue.
Anna D’amato, executive director of the Student Health and Wellness Center, said the partnership with La Clinica could help offset some of those costs.
“The idea was that community health centers could provide the same services at a lower cost,” D’Amato said. “It’s a great way to keep services in the same location with the same provider.”
Under this partnership, students will continue to pay mandatory medical fees as part of their tuition fees, and La Clinica will bill insurance and keep other costs low for students. The partnership will officially launch on September 25, coinciding with the start of the fall semester.
D’Amato said he is optimistic about the partnership, saying both groups are committed to providing low-cost and accessible services to patients.
“We are truly here for our students,” D’Amato said. “If you’re in the middle of class, you can run here, make your appointment, see your health care provider, (and) go back to class or your dorm.”
La Clinica operates 29 community health centers throughout Jackson County, including 19 school-based centers located in K-12 schools. This is the first university-based medical partnership.
Liv Collom is a reporter and producer at NewsWatch 12. Liv can be reached at lcollom@kdrv.com.
