Health Services

Bryant University Health Services is committed to your overall well-being, and our goal is to help you become a full and active participant in your health care.

Bryant University Health Services

Hours: Mondays through Fridays 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you have a permanent or temporary physical disability and would like a handicapped parking pass, contact the Department of Public Safety.

Health Services is located in Barrington House within the first-year village.

On-site medical care is provided by nurse practitioners.

Clinical components of the program include treatment of illnesses and injuries, women's and men's health care, laboratory services, immunizations, support services for students with physical disabilities and referrals as appropriate. 

We strive to support students in developing a healthy lifestyle that includes eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and reducing stress in order to promote success inside and outside of the classroom.

Visits are free of charge to all full-time students.

In the event of an emergency, dial (401) 232-6911. EMTs are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Confidentiality

Visits and medical records are kept confidential and maintained separately from academic records. Only in a true emergency or with written consent of a student is information shared, as we strive to help students become full participants in their own health care.

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Cheryl Brock headshot
Cheryl Brock

 

Eight questions for Cheryl Brock, who helps students make healthier choices

Making the transition to college life requires many adjustments. Figuring out the best food options for optimal health is one adjustment many college students struggle with as they deal with a new environment, academic stressors, and missing the comforts of home.

Through the generosity of donors, Cheryl Brock, Health and Nutrition Educator for Bryant, provides students with one-on-one consultations related to making good food choices and improving eating habits for better health, more energy, and an overall sense of wellbeing as they navigate the many challenges of college life. Before coming to Bryant in 2017, she worked in corporate health and wellness educating and counseling individuals in various lifestyle and condition management programs.

A Registered Dietitian and Licensed Nutritionist for 20 years, Brock received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island where she majored in Dietetics and completed a minor in Exercise Science. She also completed URI's Dietetic Internship Program.

What are the most common reasons a student makes an appointment with you?

Students will make appointments for weight gain/ weight loss, general healthy eating, athletic fueling plans, disordered eating, and navigating campus dining with allergies or medical conditions.

What can a student expect who comes to see you?

Students who schedule a private consultation can expect our initial appointment to be about 45 minutes long. During this session, students will have the opportunity to discuss their health goals and concerns.  I will ask a series of questions which will include discussion about their daily routine and schedule, current eating patterns, food preferences, medical history and exercise routine.  Science-based nutrition education will be provided and together we will develop steps towards meeting the student’s goals.

Do students see you for many appointments or just one?

I always encourage and offer follow up appointments to review the student’s progress towards the goals that have been established.  The number of follow up appointments vary from each student.  Many students take advantage of this opportunity for support and guidance.

What do students say about the impact of working with you on their nutrition and eating habits?

I would say it has been a positive impact based on the number of students who schedule follow up appointments and those students who have reached out to meet with me from year to year.  I also have had many referrals from students who tell me they scheduled an appointment to meet with me because their friend had a positive experience.

What hours are you available to meet with students during the week?

I am available to meet with students on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each day will offer opportunities for students to meet with me for a private one-on-one nutrition consultation. I will also be on campus throughout the semester in various locations, offering nutrition education at tabling events or group presentations.

Would you say Bryant University offers a variety of good food choices for students?

Yes, Bryant University has a variety of healthy food choices for students. Students can pick and choose from a variety of food stations across the dining hall to build a healthy plate. It may take some creativity and effort on the part of the student.  I am available to meet students in Salmo to provide recommendations and suggestions.

What tips would you give to parents who want to assist their Bryant student with making healthy food choices?

Here are tips I give students that parents can reinforce:

  • Start the day with breakfast. Studies show that skipping breakfast detracts from scholastic achievement. When there isn’t time to sit down and enjoy your morning meal, grab a bagel, piece of fruit and some milk.

  • Eat regular meals. Eating regularly allows sustained energy release throughout the day. Try to have 3 main meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner – and a few healthy snacks in between. Avoid skipping meals during the day. Skipping meals can lead to overeating later in the day or at night. All meals are important, but breakfast has been found to particularly improve concentration levels.

  • Go for variety. Focus on getting a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grain, and low-fat dairy. Try to include at least 3 food groups or think of the divided plate when planning your meal: Fill half your plate with vegetables, add a piece of chicken (protein) and brown rice (starch) to round out your meal.

  • Keep healthy snacks on hand. This way, if hunger strikes during a late-night study session, you won’t be tempted by vending machine candy, chips or ice cream. Possibilities include fresh or dried fruit, pretzels, unbuttered popcorn, rice cakes or whole wheat crackers. If you have a refrigerator, consider raw vegetables with low-fat yogurt or hummus.

  • Don't fight stress by eating. It can be tempting to reach for a bag of chips or some cookies when you're stressed out about an impending exam. Eating won't help your stress go away, so avoid filling up on snacks. Try working out or taking a break instead.

  • Balance less healthy foods with healthier meals. Not every food you eat has to be perfect. It is normal to enjoy a salty or sugary snack, or a high calorie meal when you want, but balance it out with moderate, healthy meals.

  • Drink lots of water. Your body needs at least eight glasses a day, and, if you exercise vigorously, you may need more. To remind yourself, carry a water bottle along to class and keep it handy during late night study sessions.

  • Incorporate regular physical activity.

  • Get plenty of rest!

  • Utilize campus resources for information on nutrition, exercise and stress management.

How does a student contact you?

Students can schedule private counseling appointments by calling Health Services at 401-232-6220. If a student has a question or would like some information or handouts, they can also send email to cbrock@bryant.edu.

The Department of Health Services provides routine and acute care including:

  • Treatment of illnesses and Injuries

  • Men's healthcare

  • Women's healthcare

  • Testing, treatment, and counseling for sexually transmitted infections

  • Ordering and administration of required vaccines. Payment for cost of vaccine is required in advance by cash or check. Student is provided with paperwork to submit to their insurance for possible reimbursement.

  • Laboratory services: Daily phlebotomy services by Roger Williams Hospital to collect specimens, ordered by our clinical staff or by your primary care provider; all testing is billed through the student's insurance.

  • Support services for students with physical disabilities. 

    • Please contact Health Services at (401) 232-6220 TDD: (401) 231-2860

  • Specialist referrals

    • Coordinate referral for specialty services when needed (dermatology, orthopedic, gynecology, etc.)

    • Dependent upon individual insurance plans, referral from home primary care provider may be required 

  • Educational programming on various health awareness topics

We use a patient portal known as Medicat for all health records and required forms.

Electronic forms that must be completed by student no later than July 15:

  • Registration and health history

  • Informed consent

  • Emergency contacts

  • Upload copy of insurance

Forms that must be completed by your health care provider and uploaded to Medicat by student no later than July 15*

The physical and immunizations must be completed on Bryant forms. Other forms will not be accepted.

  • Physical exam (within one year of July 15 deadline)

  • Immunization record - including 

    • Tdap (within the past 10 years)

    • MMR (two doses)

    • Hepatitis B (three doses)

    • Varicella-Chicken Pox (two doses or documented history of disease with specific date)

    • Meningitis-MCV4 (one dose unless first dose given before age 16, then two doses are required)

  • These requirements are in accordance with Section 23-1-18(9) of the General Laws of Rhode Island. If an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease should occur, any exempt, unvaccinated or undocumented students shall be excluded from school for a period of time as determined by the Rhode Island Health Department based on a case-by-case analysis of public health risk.

  • Students who do not provide the health requirements by July 15 will have a hold placed on their student account which will hinder their ability to register for classes for the upcoming semester.

The Bryant Accommodation Services staff are dedicated to serving the needs of students with disabilities. Prospective students and their families are encouraged to email accommodationservices@bryant.edu with any questions about the process of applying for and receiving accommodations at Bryant University. Accepted students may also reach out with questions at any time and are encouraged to submit an online accommodation application, as well as documentation of their disability, after their acceptance and their decision to enroll at Bryant. Once the application is complete the student will meet with an Accommodation Specialist to determine what specific accommodations may be appropriate. At the start of each subsequent semester, students submit a request for accommodations in each of their assigned courses. Accommodation Specialists may also meet with students on an ongoing basis to provide support in keeping with our philosophy of empowering Bryant students to achieve their goals. Please visit Accommodation Services for more information.