Claire C. Laurence/Arizona Daily Wildcat Registered pharmacist Jana Knutson and the staff at Campus Health Service are readily available to help students through their aches and pains.

UA students enrolled in classes can receive medical help from Campus Health Service regardless of whether or not they have insurance.

Campus Health is located in the Highland Commons at 1224 E. Lowell St. and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on university holidays.

General medicine

The General Medicine clinic does its best to accommodate the needs of ill or injured students by scheduling same-day appointments, said Terri West, administrative associate of Campus Health.

"If a student is sick, we recommend they call first thing in the morning," West said.

However, services provided are not limited to unhealthy students. The clinic offers a scope of care ranging from primary care, internal medicine and sports medicine, according to the Campus Health Web site.

Alex Pelan, a history sophomore, said when he suffered a fracture to his fifth metacarpal, Campus Health was fast and efficient.

"They were nice about it and got me into a cast really quickly," Pelan said.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling during regular business hours.

Women's health

Women who need care relating to their reproductive or sexual health can schedule an appointment with the Women's Health clinic.

Services provided include but are not limited to general sexually transmitted disease testing, annual check-ups, prescribing birth control or emergency contraception, and pregnancy screening, West said.

If a woman is pregnant, however, she will be referred to an obstetrician because OB care is not provided, West said.

West said the biggest advantage of using Women's Health is its close proximity to students.

"I think the biggest benefit is availability - we're convenient," said West.

Urgent care

If a student needs urgent medical care during regular Campus Health hours, same day care is available through the Urgent Care Clinic.

"Urgent care sees everything from sore throats to strains and some trauma," West said.

Because Urgent Care sees such a variety of problems, the triage nurse evaluates patients who walk into the clinic, and those with the most acute problems will be seen first, according to the Campus Health Web site.

Counseling and psychological services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers counseling to students who want help coping with personal, family and educational concerns, according to the Web site.

The CAPS service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and patients can come in and speak to a triage counselor about their issues. This initial triage visit is free, but students are charged for additional appointments, depending on the service, West said.

Typically, CAPS does brief therapy such as helping students cope with a relationship or roommate issue, but they do offer some long-term counseling services, West said.

Pharmacy

The pharmacy offers inexpensive and readily available medications to students by buying in bulk.

"We sell our pharmaceuticals at cost plus a dispensing fee," West said, adding that prices are lower than they would be at other pharmacies.

In addition to filling prescriptions, the UA pharmacy offers over-the-counter products like Asprin, condoms, lozenges and cough syrup.

Noah Gilbert, an optical science and engineering junior, said he chose to buy condoms at the pharmacy because he heard how inexpensive they were.

"I heard that you can get three condoms for $5 or 50 or 100 condoms for $10 so I thought, 'Why not buy in bulk?'" Gilbert said.

Specialty services

Along with the traditional medical services students may already be aware of, Campus Health offers an assortment of lesser-known specialty services.

Campus Health is staffed with a licensed acupuncturist who also teaches at an acupuncture school and prescribes herbal remedies through the pharmacy.

A massage therapist is available in the afternoons by appointment.

Students who plan on studying abroad or going on a vacation to another country can receive travel immunizations.

Orthopedic surgeons are on hand to work with patients post-injury.

A physical therapist and dermatologist are available for students who are referred by physicians or other service providers, West said.