Grant to fund OSU-Cascades student ‘health navigator’

A grant from the Central Oregon Health Council will allow Oregon State University – Cascades to promote student health services on its new campus beginning this fall via an innovative partnership model that utilizes existing health resources and clinics within the community.

The $373,877 grant provides funding over three years to support the hiring of a health advisor, a trained community health specialist who will serve as a health navigator, facilitating students’ access to primary care, dental care, behavioral health and emergency health services already and readily available within the Central Oregon community.

The health advisor will also help students navigate health insurance issues and assist with prescription refills.

“Typically, universities develop self-contained, on-campus health care centers,” said Kelly Smith, associate director of student success at OSU-Cascades. “This health services partnership allows OSU-Cascades to both conserve resources and leverage the extensive health expertise available near the university by directing students who need care to an appropriate local provider.”

As the primary student health resource for the university, the health advisor will also lead the development of a health and wellness education and outreach program aimed at encouraging students to prioritize their own physical and emotional health.

The health service partners participating in the innovative model include Adaugeo Healthcare Solutions, Bend Memorial Clinic, Deschutes County Health Services, High Lakes Health Care, Mosaic Medical, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, St. Charles Health System and Saving Grace. In-kind contributions committed by the grant partners and OSU-Cascades are estimated at nearly $268,000 over the three-year period.

“This university-community health partnership model is both innovative and practical,” said Donna Mills, executive director of the Central Oregon Health Council. “The Central Oregon Health Council looks forward to working with OSU-Cascades and their community partners on this project. This is a clear effort to support the health of individual students, the overall campus community, and assists in helping the health of our region as a whole.”

University officials anticipate that the health advisor will be onboard this fall, ready to support students’ health and wellness needs.