By Vanessa Donadio, News Editor
St. Bonaventure University’s Health and Wellness Center is a place for students to find the mental and physical help they need on campus. To make it easier for students to provide information and use its services, the Wellness Center recently introduced a patient portal on its website. From now on, incoming freshman and transfer students will use the portal to complete medical forms, and more features will be added in the future.
Wellness Center director Chris Anderson, who works part time as one of the counselors, gave insight on the new feature.
“The portal will be a place where Health Services will be sending messages concerning health appointments, as well as possibly sharing test results,” Anderson said.
The portal is designed to function similarly to those used by hospital workers and their patients. Incoming students will be able to submit all their health forms and immunization records through the portal.
Anderson pointed out how much paper will be saved thanks to the more efficient, modern technology. “It’s going to be a real step into the future here. Finally.”
Anderson has been working closely with the university to oversee the process. While the portal is currently online, Anderson said it may take awhile for the university to finish setting up the new system.
“Students won’t be scheduling appointments through the portal yet. That function may be added next year,” Anderson said. “But right now, students still have to call our center at (716) 375-2310 or 2334, or stop over to set up an appointment.”
Junior accounting major Kristin Reynolds believes implementing the online portal was a good decision. “This new online portal will be way easier for students and faculty to use,” Reynolds stated.
Because Anderson keeps busy with his other duties at the Wellness Center, he spends less time with patients than he used to. However, St. Bonaventure University now has four full-time counselors, who have been working collectively since the start of the school year.
“The school saw the need, and they were great at taking action to find those four people to fulfill that need for the students,” Anderson said.
Anderson plans to take time off in March to spend time with his newborn baby, but the other counselors are prepared to help students in a way that is best suitable for them.
All students at St. Bonaventure University are encouraged to reach out and use the Wellness Center’s counseling and resources.
donadivj16@bonaventure.edu
