CAREER ADVISING - IS THIS TRUE?
Students entering the MCOM PA Program are assigned to a faculty member who will serve as longitudinal Career Advisor??? and will work with the students throughout their matriculation. Students are introduced to their advisor in the first semester of school and are expected to meet at least twice annually while enrolled in the PA Program.
ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE
Tutoring:
Students who are experiencing academic difficulties and are in need of tutoring may seek assistance by speaking to the Academic or Clinical Directors. They will provide suggestions and guidance as to where to find tutoring opportunities.
Reading, Study Skills and Test Taking Assistance:
Students who are experiencing difficulties with examinations may seek assistance through Tutoring and Learning Services. The program is directed by Dr. Patricia Maher. Contact Dr. Maher at 974-2713.???? Through an arrangement with the Office of Student Affairs these services are available to medical students without charge. IS THIS TRUE FOR OUR PA STUDENTS????? Assessments of reading skills, study skills and test taking abilities are performed and a plan is devised to improve student examination performance.
STRESS PREVENTION AND PERSONAL COUNSELING
Three sources of professional assistance for issues related to stress and personal counseling are available to students at the MCOM PA Program.
Office of Student and Resident Professional Development - Is this true too?
Should a student express any concern requiring assistance, as an alternative to the P.A. Program's faculty, the student should be directed to Olga Skalkos, Ph.D. in the Office of Student and Resident Professional Development (813-974-8509 or oskalkos@health.usf.edu). Dr. Skalkos is a licensed psychologist and serves in a capacity much like an ombudsperson for students and residents. All interactions with her are confidential and independent of instructors and USF administration. Students may also be referred to the Office of Student and Resident Professional Development by other concerned students, residents or faculty.
Health Enhancement for Lifelong Professional Students (HELPS) -
The HELPS program is available to students for off-campus stress prevention and personal counseling related to a variety of concerns: psychological, legal, substance abuse, financial, academic, career, professional development, etc. The services are also extended to spouses, children and significant others.
Contact Information
Wood & Associates
4700 N. Habana Avenue, Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33614
HELPS: (813) 870-0184
Out-of-area: 800-343-4670
Website: www.woodassociates.net
Who May Use the Program
The services of HELPS are available to you, any dependent eligible for insurance benefits and your significant other whether or not they are currently covered under your health care insurance policy.
Costs
The first three (3) visits by you and/or each of your dependents and significant other to HELPS are at no charge to you, your family member or significant other. Additional contacts may be covered by your behavioral health insurance plan. If any testing is recommended, the costs will be the expense of the student, family member or significant other or may be covered by your behavioral health insurance.
There probably will be charges for most of the professional resources to which you, your family member, or significant other may be referred by your HELPS representative.
Through experience, Wood & Associates has found that many people contacting similar programs want assessment and support from a program representative for personal, learning, relationship or other concerns. Behavioral health insurance benefits may provide coverage for concerns requiring treatment. In some cases, your HELPS representative may suggest clinics, as opposed to private practitioners as a further step toward the lowest possible costs.
Confidentiality
Your contact with HELPS is confidential as provided within the parameters of professional ethics, the USF MCOM contract, and applicable federal and state statute.
Services Offered
HELPS is not a treatment program; rather, it is an assessment, support, and referral program. The following services are offered:
- Problems that can be resolved by counseling or therapy:
- Academic concerns
- Learning disabilities
- Vocational/aptitude testing
- Career decisions
- Interpersonal difficulties
- Relationship problems
- Troubled children/adolescents
- Distress, anxiety, depression, other emotional concern
- Alcohol or drug misuse or abuse of a personal or family nature. When students present with a substance abuse problem, the student will be provided with appropriate referrals.
- Problems that are typically resolved by the courts:
- Divorce, child support
- Property/lease suits
- Court orders
- Imprisonment
- Money or credit problems
- Other problem areas of concern:
- Care for aged/infirm
- Local social services
- Domestic violence
- Immigration
- Sex counseling
- Individual or family crisis situations such as rape, assault, robbery, suicide or other life-threatening trauma
USF Counseling Center
Students are encouraged to contact the USF Counseling Center when facing concerns associated with academic, social, and emotional issues. To request consultation services at no charge, please call 974-2831. Faculty from the P.A. program are not providers of care at the Counseling Center. Your contact with the Counseling Center is confidential as provided within the parameters of professional ethics and applicable federal and state statute.
Wellness Council
The MCOM Wellness Council is a collaborative effort among students, and faculty, who encourages students to take control of our own wellness. The purpose of the Wellness Council is to promote academic, financial, mental/spiritual, nutritional, and physical wellness among the students and faculty at the USF MCOM. Students are invited to attend events periodically organized by the Wellness Council.
Fitness Center
The Morsani College of Medicine Fitness Center is located in rooms MDC 1028 and 1029. These facilities are for the exclusive use of students, faculty and staff of the MCOM (MD, DPT, PA, Graduate Studies, and Athletic Training). No guests are permitted, including family members.
Users of the Fitness Center are responsible for keeping the facilities clean. Each user must bring a towel and wipe down equipment after use. Damaged or broken equipment should be reported promptly to Office of Student Affairs (974-2068).
The Fitness Center is not professionally staffed. Because safety is a primary concern, the following procedures have been established:
You must view the Fitness Center Video, which is a link on the Student Affairs webpage http://hsc.usf.edu/medicine/studentaffairs/index.htm. The link is on the right side of the page under “Student Life.” After viewing the video, please send an e-mail to Dr. Kira Zwygart, MCOM Associate Dean for Student Affairs, to activate ID card access. (This requirement is necessary for liability issues.)
A person may only use the Fitness Center when another USF MCOM community member is present.
Violation of these procedures will result in loss of privileges for six months. A repeat offense will result in referral to the APPC. All other rules are posted in the Fitness Center.
Post Office
A drop box for the USPS is located in MDC 1415 and is open from 8:30am to 4:00pm daily The full service USF post office is located on Holly Drive across from the Marshall Student Center. The USPS located in the MCOM does not sell stamps or supplies
← Guidelines and Procedures | IX. Miscellaneous →