Living your best life at PennWest California means taking care of yourself. We offer support from trained professionals to respond to your health and wellness needs. Programming to help you build healthy habits will foster positive results in your academic and personal life, and inform a lifetime of success.
FOR HEALTH EMERGENCIES:
Dial 911, Public Safety: 724-938-4299, or your local emergency number.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Text HOME to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741
Visit your local hospital's emergency room.
The Health Center is staffed by a medical director, certified registered nurse practitioner, and registered nurses. Healthcare professionals at the center, work with special populations to address their specific needs and develop and deliver health and wellness education programs. The safety and wellness of our students, faculty, and staff is our number one priority. Keeping strong and healthy, both physically and mentally, is key to academic success.
Location: Carter Hall G-53
Phone: 724-938-4232
Fax: 724-938-4509
Email: healthcenter-cal@pennwest.edu
Winter Session Hours:
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
Fall/Spring Session Hours:
8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Friday
Summer Session Hours:
8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday & Friday
Closed weekends
AFTER HOURS/EMERGENCY INFORMATION - In case of an emergency call 911 or public safety at 724-938-4299.
Our services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Good health is an integral part of your PennWest California experience. Although health insurance is not required for your visit to the University Health Center, PennWest California strongly recommends that all students have medical insurance coverage.
The campus Health Center offers a variety of healthcare services for PennWest California students, but it does not have any contracts for direct payment to any health insurance companies for clinic or ancillary services, and it does not bill any insurance companies directly.
You are responsible for paying all bills for clinic visits, medications, lab work, and certain procedures that you may need outside of the PennWest California Health Center.
If you are not currently covered by a health insurance plan, it is recommended that you visit Healthcare.gov to explore your options for coverage on the insurance marketplace.
The Counseling Center advises students on ways to make the best personal, social, psychological and career choices during a time of transition in their lives. Counseling can be very helpful in identifying challenges and obstacles, brainstorming solutions, and working towards personal growth.
In order to schedule an appointment with a campus counselor, all students must first meet with a case manager. Current PennWest California students can schedule an appointment with a PennWest California Campus case manager through the Student Patient Portal.
Please note: The Counseling Center is not available during PennWest California's summer sessions; regular hours resume at the start of the fall semester. If you need help finding a therapist in your local area during times when the counseling center is closed, schedule an appointment with the case manager through the Student Patient Portal.
For Mental Health Emergencies: Dial 911 or your local emergency number; call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255; text HOME to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or visit your local hospital's emergency room. More hotlines and other resources are listed below. Pennsylvania residents can find a county-by-county list of crisis intervention services here.
Wellness Services enhances holistic well-being by optimizing individual experiences within empowering environments for PennWest campuses and communities.
Email: studentwellness-cal@pennwest.edu
Counseling Center: 724-938-4056
Emergency Contacts: Public Safety, 724-938-4357 (HELP) or 911
Hours: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday-Friday (fall and spring semesters)
PLEASE NOTE: Counseling Center faculty emails are not monitored 24/7. If you are in need of immediate emergency assistance, please call 911, PennWest California Public Safety at 724-938-HELP, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Contact the Associate Director for Wellness, Rachel Michaels, for more information.
Students experiencing a mental health emergency can walk into the counseling center without a scheduled appointment during operating hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm) for support.
Students experiencing a mental health emergency outside of operating hours should contact:
The Associate Director for Wellness offers case management and assistance for all university students seeking guidance and support both on and off campus. All students who wish to meet with a campus counselor will first meet with the Associate Director for Wellness for a consultation prior to a counseling appointment.
Current PennWest California students can schedule an appointment with a PennWest California Campus case manager through the Student Patient Portal. We'll ask that you complete all of your consents and insurance information on your Student Patient Portal before your appointment.
Possible areas of support include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:
Contact the Associate Director for Wellness, Rachel Michaels, for more information.
Health Promotions is an all-encompassing wellness office that helps provide campus resources, education, and programming in relation to college health and wellness. Students who participate in health promotion programs have the opportunity to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles, healthy decision-making, and about mental and physical health.
You can feel comfortable about coming to the Counseling Center. Services are strictly confidential according to state and federal law, and there is no additional charge to PennWest California University students.
If you are concerned about a student due to behavioral issues, consider making a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) report.
The BIT reviews the information provided and make recommendations on further action, such as referrals and reports to other departments on campus
Class absences are excused for medical reasons documented by medical personnel, university activities approved by the appropriate vice president or designee, and/or for personal exigencies as defined by the faculty member. Activities to be recognized as an excused absence include but are not limited to scheduled athletic competitions, academic competitions in which the student is a participant, military duties, auto accidents, death of an immediate family member, and medical emergencies. Verification of such absences may be required by the instructor, and the student is responsible for make-up work as required by the instructor.
Students with excused absences are permitted to make up missed work and are responsible for all missed assignments without penalty. In cases where there have been significant absences, the student should consult with the instructor and academic advisor to determine if completion of the course requirements is possible or reasonable.
See full class attendance policy: Policy AC013: Class Attendance
Any student (undergraduate or graduate), who decides to withdraw from the University during any academic term, regardless of the reason (including medical), must contact the Office of the Registrar immediately at registrar@pennwest.edu.
A university withdrawal beyond the last day to withdraw the deadline may be requested to the academic dean for extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness, family tragedy) up through the last instructional day of the semester or term. Such requests must be made in writing to the academic dean over the student’s program (major) and include an explanation as to why the withdrawal did not occur by the deadline and documentation of the extenuating circumstance(s).
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act information for PennWest California
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act information for PennWest Global Online
You will find all you need to stay active in body, mind, and spirit.