Health Center

We are here to serve our students. We provide faculty and staff special services as well.

Our mission is to glorify God by providing holistic health care in a competent, compassionate manner with Biblical principles of excellence, integrity, honesty, accountability and love. We are committed to empower and educate students to achieve wellness of body, mind, and spirit through self-care advice, medical intervention, spiritual challenge, and a nurturing environment.

Get to Know the Lipscomb University Health Center

Fees & Health Insurance

Important Update: Insurance Billing at Lipscomb University Health Center

In an effort to enhance our healthcare services, the Lipscomb University Health Center will introduce insurance billing for the services provided to our students beginning August 2023. We want to encourage every student to have health insurance while enrolled at Lipscomb University. The Health Center will also have cash pay options available for those that may be underinsured.

To efficiently process insurance claims and manage accounts receivables, the Lipscomb University Health Center will be collaborating with Compu-Med Billing Services, Inc. This company will work closely with the Health Center staff to ensure accurate and timely processing of insurance claims while upholding HIPAA compliance.

We understand that adapting to these changes may raise questions or concerns. The Health Center staff and Compu-Med Billing Services, Inc. representatives will be available to assist students and provide support throughout this transition. Our commitment to the well-being of our students remains unwavering as we strive to support their health needs while pursuing their academic goals. Please contact the Health Center at healthservices [at] lipscomb.edu (healthservices[at]lipscomb[dot]edu) with questions or for assistance. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work towards delivering an improved healthcare experience for our student community.

Vaccinations & Med+Proctor

Health Form: Med+Proctor

Med+Proctor

All new students must submit their health forms to Med+Proctor. Please see emails you have received for further instructions. It is required prior to class registration and incomplete accounts could cause a hold to go on your record until all pieces are complete. The account must also be completed and submitted with the following documentation to comply with the state of Tennessee's requirements.

To submit your records through Med+Proctor, please follow these steps:

Visit secure.medproctor.com
Click "register" and create an account in Med+Proctor using your student email address.
Complete your Med+Proctor profile.
Download and print the immunization certificate form.* (Click here to download the form.)
Take the immunization certificate form to your medical provider for completion.
Upload an image of the completed immunization certificate form to Med+Proctor.

*The Med+Proctor immunization form is not required if the student has an immunization form with their required immunization information listed.

If you have difficulty using Med+Proctor, you may contact Med+Proctor at help [at] medproctor.com (help[at]medproctor[dot]com) or use the chat feature on the lower right side of the screen of their website.

This is a free service for students, but if you wish to have lifetime access to your records, you can pay $10. This is your decision.

Lipscomb University is required by law to comply with the guidelines set forth by the state of Tennessee which requires students to provide the university with proof of immunity against certain communicable diseases.

Required Vaccinations & Screenings

Vaccinations & Screenings

College students have increased risk of some contagious diseases due to the close living quarters and interactions they have with one another. Because of the risk of transmission to a large number of people, some vaccines are required at Lipscomb. All students must receive the meningococcal vaccine that protects against bacterial meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control has lots of information on their meningitis website including who is at risk, what causes it, signs and symptoms of the disease, and prevention.

Required screening for all students

Tuberculosis (TB) screening
Students must show proof of a tuberculosis (TB) screening test, chest x-ray, or note from a provider stating he/she is at low-risk for TB, dated within the last year, on the Health Form at enrollment.

We have a TB risk assessment to help you. If you give any "yes" answers via the TB risk assessment tool, one of our nurses must determine if you require a TB test. All pharmacy, nursing and dietetic students must have a TB test every year in the program.

A TB test can be any of the following: a purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test, a QuantiFERON-Tb Gold blood test, (QFT) or chest x-ray administered within the past 12 months. It's your preference on which one you receive. The QFT is a newer test that is more accurate than the traditional skin test and does not require a follow-up appointment to read the results.

Those receiving PPD skin tests must follow-up 48-72 hours afterward to the clinic to have the result read by a nurse; we do not give TB skin tests on Thursdays due to not being able to read the test in the proper timeframe. If you do not return in this timeframe, the test must be repeated. If you are a returning student and have not been enrolled in school for one calendar year or more, you are required to repeat this test upon your admission.

If you're traveling in a country at high risk for TB, you should get a test six to eight weeks after your return to the U.S. We can advise you on if your travel plans put you at risk for TB.

Required vaccinations for all students

Submit copies of documentation for MMR, Meningitis, Varicella and tuberculosis via Med+Proctor.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)*

Two doses are required to those born after 1956. If you think you have had the MMR immunizations but do not have proof, then you need to have a blood test (a titer) to see if you are immune for all three diseases. A copy of your titers is acceptable, but if you do not have acceptable levels of antibodies then you must get a booster.

Varicella*

Two doses are required for those born after 1979. (Or documentation of varicella infection from a health care provider. A blood test can also be taken to prove immunity.)

Meningococcal A, C, Y, W (MCV4, MPSV4, Menactra, or Menveo)**

Valid immunization records come from your doctor's office, health department form, high school or college records; proof of immunity by titer is also accepted with attached lab results.

Required vaccinations for all students living on campus and all student nurses

Meningitis**
The meningitis vaccination is required for all student nurses, living off or on campus and for all students living on campus. This vaccination is administered after the age of 16 years.

Need more information? Visit CDC—Where to find vaccine records.

Immunization FAQs

*Required by the State of Tennessee

**Required by Lipscomb University

Recommended Vaccinations

Vaccinations We Offer

What we offer

Payment will be due at the time of vaccination. We can give you a CPT code if you wish to submit a claim for reimbursement since we do not bill insurance. We offer the following vaccinations at University Health Services to students, faculty and staff. For other immunizations, we recommend the Metro Health Department, Shots or CVS Minute Clinic. Other vaccines may be available to order.

Flu - seasonal
Hepatitis B (series of three)
Typhoid (during specific times of the year)

Nearby Hospitals & Walk-In Clinics

After Hours Care

Emergencies

Nashville has many hospitals that provide excellent care. The ones listed are the closest ones to Lipscomb. If you are having a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

When should I go to the emergency room?
If you are having any of the following: chest pain, shortness of breath or labored breathing, profuse bleeding, a broken bone, severe allergic reaction, sudden or progressing abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting over 36 hours, sudden vision change, worsening or new headache, severe pain, or high fever (>104 F).

Have your health insurance card with you and know what services your insurance provides. The phone number on the back of your card will let you know of preferred facilities and providers. If you are transported to a hospital by ambulance, you will be charged. This is not a free service. The length of ER visits can vary from two to eight hours. Consider visiting a walk-in clinic (listed below). This will allow an ER's doctors and nurses to concentrate on the clients who have life-threatening issues.

If you do not have insurance, the visit will not be free. The hospital will bill you for your visit. Emergency room visits are very expensive. There is a hospital that will accept persons without health insurance:
Metro General Hospital at Meharry, 1818 Albion Street, Nashville, TN 37208

Emergency Admitting Department: 615.341.4110.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1211 Medical Center Dr., Nashville, TN 37232
Emergency Room: 615.322.0160
Distance: 3.2 miles. Approximate travel time: 10 minutes

Saint Thomas West Hospital
4220 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205
Emergency Services: 615.222.6733
Distance: Approximately 4.1 miles. Approximate travel time: 9 minutes

TriStar Centennial Medical Center
2300 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203
Emergency Department: 615.342.1500
Distance: Approximately 5.5 miles. Approximate travel time: 15 minutes

St. Thomas Midtown (formerly Baptist Hospital)
2000 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37236
Emergency Department: 615.284.8484
Distance: About 5 miles. Approximate travel time: 13 minutes

Walk In Clinics

Care Now*
4107 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN
615.292.0012

The Little Clinic (inside Kroger Green Hills)
2131 Abbott Martin Road
Nashville, TN 37215
615.515.9905

Vanderbilt Walk In Clinic* (Brentwood)
134 Pewitt Drive
Brentwood, TN 37027
615.371.2481

Vanderbilt Walk In Clinic (Melrose)
2608 8th Ave. South
Suite 102A
Nashville, TN 37204
615.875.5515

Minute Clinic at CVS
3801 Hillsboro Road
Nashville, TN 37215
615.385.0622

Physicians’ Urgent Care*
700 Old Hickory Blvd
Ste 207
Brentwood, TN 37027
615.457.3864

St. Thomas Express Care Clinic
1911 State St.
Nashville, TN 37203
615.284.2015

Sport Ortho Urgent Care*
1501 12th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37203
615.553.5000

TOA Ortho Urgent Care*
8 City Boulevard
Ste 100
Nashville, TN 37209
615.724.9114

Concentra
4300 Sidco Dr.
Nashville, TN 37204
615.837.4360

*X-Ray available

Nearby Hospitals

St. Thomas West Hospital
4220 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
615.222.2111

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1211 22nd Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37211
615-322-5000

Southern Hills Medical Center
391 Wallace Road
Nashville, TN 37211
615.781.4000

Need to Know Numbers

Contact

You can find University Health Services next to Bison Inn on the north side of campus.

Hours
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only.

Mailing Address
Lipscomb University Health Center
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204

Email*
healthservices [at] Lipscomb.edu (healthservices[at]Lipscomb[dot]edu)

Phone
615.966.6304
800.333.4358 ext. 6304

Fax
615.966.5286

To schedule an appointment, please call or email.

*We cannot discuss personal medical information via email.

Please bring your valid Lipscomb ID. We do not see family members or alumni. Lipscomb University Health Center is a member of American College Health Association.

Your Health Care Needs

More Ways We Serve You

General Medical Care

Our nurse practitioner sees students Monday through Friday.

Students are able to see a nurse for first aid and advice or the nurse practitioner for more in-depth illnesses or injuries. Most conditions that would be seen in a primary care office can be handled right on campus. The nurse practitioner is able to diagnose and prescribe treatment for things commonly seen in college students as well as perform physicals. General physicals require appointments. Lab service is available in the clinic and off-campus imaging can be ordered when necessary. Students can get prescriptions filled at a local pharmacy.

We handle outpatient issues only but will monitor students for several hours in the clinic if needed for illness. If a condition gets worse or needs more extensive monitoring, a student will sent to the emergency room. Referrals can be made to a local specialist when a student has a more complex condition.

Women's Health

Women face specific health issues that need care. The nurse practitioner can perform routine gynecological care for female students and advise you on any screenings you may need.

Travel Health

Lipscomb offers many exciting opportunities to travel overseas through the Study Abroad program and through Missions. It is important to prepare for your health while traveling as many countries deal with poor sanitation and diseases that are not found in the U.S. We can help you prepare for the different environment through a travel health consult. This is an individualized assessment of your personal risks based on your medical history, destination, type of locale, and the activities you will take part in.

During this visit we will write prescriptions for any medications that will be needed including malaria pills, antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea, and give you the recommendations on immunizations. See Immunizations for what we can offer in the clinic; vaccine fees must be paid by the student. We do not carry Yellow Fever which is a requirement to enter some countries, but there are several local clinics that offer it.

Appointments must be made for travel health appointments at least four weeks or more before you leave. This is the minimum time needed to allow your immune system to make antibodies after immunization. We will need to know the country you will be visiting when you make the appointment, and you must bring in a vaccine record when you come (the Health Record Form we have on record usually has documentation for MMR, tetanus, hepatitis B, and meningococcal only).

Skin & Wound Care

Our skin is our body’s biggest organ and can pose different problems for college students from acne and sunburns to eczema and athlete’s foot. We can diagnose and help manage most basic dermatologic problems, biopsy unusual moles, and freeze off warts in the Health Center.

For those with wounds, we can provide first aid and further dressing changes. Small cuts that need stitches can be attended to in the clinic as long as it is below the face. We can remove stitches and staples.

We encourage the use of sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher with UVA and UVB protection whenever you are in the sun to prevent skin cancer. Tanning beds are commonly used but are dangerous. The World Health Organization moved tanning beds to their highest risk list of cancer-causing agents in humans. The ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer and wrinkles. Use a sunless tanner instead.

Mental Health

Along with the Counseling Center, we can help treat students with mental health issues. For those beyond our scope of practice, we are happy to refer to outside providers. Please note that we do not prescribe stimulants used to treat ADHD in our clinic.

A psychiatric nurse practitioner is available weekly for a fee for service. Please call 615.966.6304 to schedule.

If someone you know is suicidal, call 911, go to the nearest ER or Parthenon Pavilion. Text crisis line 74174, type TN to connect with a counselor.

If you aren’t feeling like yourself, let someone know — the Health Center and Counseling Center are confidential places with people who care.

Medical Equipment Loans

For the occasional injuries, we offer crutches, wheelchairs, and splints for loan through our Health Center. An agreement is signed with a due date and charges are made to students’ account if an item is not returned on time.

Laboratory Services

We have the ability to draw blood and get cultures in the office and send to an outside laboratory to help aid in diagnosis. The lab will directly bill the patient or his/her health insurance for any specimen. For convenience a student, faculty or staff member who needs regular blood draws can bring his/her personal provider’s written orders and we will draw the blood then fax the results to the appropriate office. There is a $10 fee for all blood draws from outside providers.

A nurse can draw blood to check a titer, or antibody response to a disease, if needed for school enrollment or job. We can check the status of immunity for measles, mumps, and rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella.

We do offer COVID-19 testing by appointments only. Please call 615.966.6304 to schedule.

With recurrent orders from provider's offices please send the HIPPA and Continue Chronic Care form to be faxed to health services.

Health Education & Information

We want not only to support the academic endeavors of students by maintaining their health, but also to increase their knowledge about their own health, promote healthy behaviors, and help them understand the healthcare system.

We do several campus activities to educate students about health. Students can talk to a nurse about specific health concerns. The Health Center also provides handouts on several key health issues for college students.

Our website has links to organizations and medical sites with reliable information. It’s common for people today to Google symptoms or problems to find information but this can create a lot of anxiety when people see “the worst possible” diagnosis.

Remember that anyone can put anything on the internet but it may not be credible or accurate. And just because a certain result was found “in a study” doesn’t mean it’s the truth; lots of factors influence a research study’s results and applicability to groups of people. The U.S. National Library of Medicine has a guide to healthy web surfing. It’s always wise to ask a professional if you have a question about your health because each person is unique.

Chronic Illness Support

We are here to help coordinate care for students with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy and assist when problems arise.

All those under specialist care are highly recommended to complete of information release form and give chronic care continuation form to their specialist to complete fax to health services so that we may better serve you and meet your chronic care needs.

At times we may need to work with another office on campus such as Disability Services, Counseling Center, Residential Life, and Dining Services for particular needs. We do recommend getting a primary care provider in Nashville if you need frequent office visits to manage your health, and there are several close to campus. If you need a referral or recommendation, please let us know.

Allergy shots

For those who have had allergy testing and are currently receiving allergy injections, Lipscomb Health Services can continue administering allergy shots. You must have had your first two injections at the allergist’s office and not have had more than one month lapse since your last injection.

The patient is responsible for getting the serum vials to and from the LU Health Center and for making appointments to receive allergy shots. Students must have an office visit with our Nurse Practitioner prior to initiative shots in our clinic. It is required that anyone getting an allergy shot stay 30 minutes afterward for monitoring, check with a nurse before leaving and have their own EpiPen.

An allergy shot consent form must be signed and on file. Both a nurse and provider must be in the clinic at the time of allergy shots so appointments are necessary. Allergy shots are by appointment only.

We do not do allergy testing but can refer those who are having severe allergic symptoms.

Medical Record Requests

Lipscomb University holds Health Record Forms on all university students for ten years. If you need a copy of your record, we must have the release of information form filled out and faxed back to us at 615.966.5286. Please allow 10 business days to process your requests.

According to Tennessee Code 63-2-102 (a) The party requesting the patient’s records is responsible to the provider for the reasonable costs of copying and mailing such patient’s records. For records other than those involving workers’ compensation cases, such reasonable costs shall not exceed $20 for medical records five pages or less in length and fifty cents per page for each page copied after the first five pages and the actual cost of mailing. Any third-party provider of record copying and related services shall be subject to the reasonable cost limits contained in this section and shall not impose any charge or fee for such services in excess of such cost limits.

All Other Questions

Do you require a physical prior to admission?

Lipscomb Student Health Services does not require a physical examination prior to admission, though it is a good idea.

I missed a test (or classes) yesterday (or a few days ago). Can you write me a note? My teacher requires one if I miss class.

We do not provide excuses for missed classes. It is expected that you discuss your absences with your professors. If verification is needed that you sought medical treatment, we will supply you with a receipt of your visit showing you were seen in the clinic, this is not an excuse for class, the Gathering, or any other function with required attendance. If you are diagnosed with an illness that is expected to keep you out of classes for an extended time (i.e. mono), we will notify all of your professors through the provost office.

What will it cost for a student to see the nurse practitioner?

Fees for visiting the nurse practitioner are based on your insurance allowances. This includes your consultation, point of care testing and other counter medications if applicable. If you need imaging or lab work done, you are responsible for these costs.

Do I need to make an appointment?

Yes, in order to limit illness exposure to both patients and staff, appointments are required. Please call 615.966.6304 or email healthservices [at] lipscomb.edu (healthservices[at]lipscomb[dot]edu)

What is a mid-level health care provider?

A nurse practitioner or a physician assistant is a mid-level healthcare provider with a master’s degree and advanced clinical training. Health care providers and are able to provide the following types of services:

Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations.
Diagnose and treat both acute and chronic health problems.
Order and interpret diagnostic studies such as lab work and x-rays.
Prescribe and recommend medications.
Provide health counseling and education.
In the state of Tennessee, nurse practitioners have supervising physicians who are available for consultations when necessary and review a minimum of 20% of patient records. Practice protocols and a drug formulary are jointly agreed upon between the nurse practitioner and supervising physician.

Online resources

These are health links to outside sources which are reputable and for information purposes only. The inclusion on the LUHS website does not reflect an endorsement and cannot substitute for individual medical attention.

General health websites to search by topic or condition:

CDC COVID-19 information

MedlinePlus

Mayo Clinic

Centers for Disease Control

Common Complaints

Acne

Bee and Insect Stings