Student Handbook - Wellness and Counseling Services

The Office of Wellness and Counseling is committed to helping students develop into well-rounded, compassionate, and mindful osteopathic practitioners. The office uses a team-oriented, interdisciplinary approach made up of qualified clinical health professionals to provide both individual and group counseling, mental health presentations, and student-led initiatives to enhance students’ mental health and well-being during the rigors of medical school. Confidentiality is paramount and building student trust is of the utmost importance. Personal counseling sessions are free and open to all MSUCOM students by phone, Zoom, or at one of the three sites.

During medical school, students may meet with personal counselors at each of the three sites, as well as attend presentations on topics such as mindfulness, meditation, stress reduction, burnout, and resilience. Various wellness and counseling groups also foster community and belonging through student-to-student mentoring, group meditation and mindfulness sessions, and mental health workshops.

Clerkship students always have direct access to counseling services by confidential Zoom conferencing or phone consultation. Due to the unique scheduling requirements of clerkship students, personal counselors are available to meet after regular business hours.

The MSUCOM CARE Team is committed to improving the wellbeing of students and promoting student success at all three sites of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine by proactively and collaboratively identifying and assisting students in distress. The team coordinates with students, faculty, and staff using thoughtful approaches to identify, assess, and intervene with individuals of concern.

The MSUCOM CARE Team strives to identify distressed students; provide resources, referrals, and other forms of support to individuals in distress; prevent escalation of concerning situations; enhance the wellbeing and safety of the MSUCOM community; collaborate with faculty, staff, administration, and concerned others; educate the MSUCOM community about identifying concerning behaviors; and foster a culture in which concerns for others can be respectfully shared. Further information can be found on the CARE Team page.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine offers access to mental health services through the Office of Wellness and Counseling and through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) available through Michigan State University. The Office of Wellness and Counseling abides by strict confidentiality practices and protection of students’ rights at all times. Upon a student’s initial appointment, the student will complete a Student Informed Consent to Services form. The Office follows the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) with all student data collected. If a student desires to share their information with a third party, such as during a referral process, the student will complete an Authorization for Release of Information form.

Through the CAPS center, MSU provides a 24/7 crisis hotline. Call (517) 355-8270 and press "1" at the prompt to speak with a crisis counselor.

For staff contact information, college and university resources, and self-help information, visit the Office of Wellness and Counseling page.
It is the policy of MSUCOM that students may seek diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic health services at the provider of their choice. The following information is provided as a resource to assist students in seeking health care services that are available as students enrolled at Michigan State University and in locations throughout the Statewide Campus System network.
All MSUCOM students may seek health care services at Olin Health Center, MSU’s student health center. The main clinic is located on North Campus in East Lansing. The health center also offers “neighborhood” locations across the main MSU campus; the location closest to Fee Hall is in room 127 South Hubbard Hall.

Available on-site services offered at Olin Health Center include:
- Primary and specialty care
- Laboratory and radiology services
- Immunizations
- Nutrition and wellness counseling
- Women’s health
- Work-related injuries including blood-borne pathogen care
Additional services offered 24-7:
- 24-hour PIN (Phone Information Nurse) – call 517-353-5557
  Health-related questions are answered by registered nurses who have been specifically trained for phone triage.
In case of an emergency, students should call “911” for local emergency services. The nearest emergency room locations by preclerkship site are as follows:

East Lansing

Sparrow Hospital Emergency Department
1215 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912
517-364-1000

Sparrow Emergency Center Okemos
2446 Jolly Road, Suite A, Okemos, MI 48864
517-253-5500

McLaren Greater Lansing Emergency Services
2900 Collins Road
Lansing, MI 48910
517-975-7500

Macomb

Henry Ford Macomb Emergency Department
15855 19 Mile Road
Clinton Township, MI 48038
586-263-2300

Detroit

DMC Harper University Hospital Emergency Department
3990 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48201
313-745-8040
MSUCOM students may access physicians, laboratory and diagnostic imaging, and other services at the following local affiliated sites, or at the location of their choosing.

Detroit

Detroit Medical Center (DMC)
Multiple locations in Detroit, Michigan
Provider Directory

Macomb

Henry Ford Macomb Hospital
15855 19 Mile Road, Clinton Twp., MI 48038
Provider Directory

McLaren Macomb Hospital
1000 Harrington Street, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
Provider Directory
During clerkship rotations, MSUCOM students may seek routine or emergency care, laboratory and diagnostic services at the provider or hospital of their choice. Students may also wish to seek services at their base hospital. Please see each hospital’s website for details on services provided and where locations and telephone numbers are listed. Students should be prepared to provide their health insurance information for billing purposes.

For work-related injuries, including blood-borne pathogen or other exposures, while at a clerkship location, MSUCOM students should follow local hospital protocols for evaluation and management. Students should provide their health insurance information for billing. Costs related to an exposure that are not covered by the student’s insurance may be covered by MSUCOM. Students must file the appropriate report (see policy on exposure protocol).
While enrolled at MSUCOM, all students must be covered by health insurance. Students who are admitted to the College are automatically enrolled in the MSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), which is offered through Blue Care Network Health Insurance and administered through the MSU Human Resources Benefits Office. More details on this coverage may be found online here.

Students who provide verification to the university of comparable health insurance coverage through another vendor may waive SHIP Blue Care Network coverage by completing a waiver form in each semester of enrollment. The form may be found online here.

Questions regarding the MSU health insurance plan may be directed to MSU Human Resources at 517-353-4434 or via email at solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu.
MSUCOM provides a disability insurance policy to enrolled students, with coverage that will pay a monthly benefit in the event a student becomes disabled due to sickness or injury. Students have the option to purchase continued coverage upon graduation. The plan is currently issued through Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. More information is available through the plan administrator, Ins Med Insurance Agency, Inc. at 800-214-7039, via email at info@insmedinsurance.com or online at the InsMed website.
Dental insurance through Delta Dental of Michigan and vision insurance through VSP are available to MSUCOM students as optional coverage. Details and online enrollment are available through the MSU Human Resources Benefits Office. Questions regarding these plans may be directed to MSU Human Resources at 517-353-4434 or via email at solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu.