Group works to answer, ‘what is Wardenburg?’
In an effort to reorganize and restructure Wardenburg Health Center, Assistant Vice Chancellor Gary Chadwick has created an internal review committee comprised of students and staff to look over every portion of the center.
The committee, comprised mostly of students, has been actively reviewing and making changes to the health center since its creation last spring.
“The board was created to answer the questions, ‘what is Wardenburg? What is it going to be in 2018,'” Jade Sorget, senior co-chair of the Wardenburg Health Board and member of the internal review committee, said. “We offer the most services (of any medical center) in the Big 12 and we need to make sure students are getting the best.”
The committee is addressing problems with Wardenburg’s finances. Currently, the health center has a $200,00 deficit. The deficit has dropped from $200,000 since Chadwick’s reorganization began.
“Our goal is to improve efficiency and to get out of the red,” Sorget said.
One of the biggest structural problems the committee found at Wardenburg was that there wasn’t enough space in the medical clinic.
“Every other cost center had seen a remodel other than Wardenburg. We are hurting,” Sorget said.
The committee made finding more room a priority.
“One of the big things that we’re doing is converting offices to exam rooms to increase efficiency,” Tri-executive Hadley Brown, member of the internal review committee, said.
The desire to create more space at Wardenburg has forced the community health programs to be relocated. Community health includes the Wellness Center, Sexual Health Education and CU-Boulder Office of Victim Assistance and the CU Rape and Gender Education (COURAGE). Currently, Community Health is located at a house on Grandview.
“The house is temporary. Right now it’s a hassle for students to get to,” Victor Hsu, UCSU Health and Safety Director said. “Also, it is unsafe to get to because we hold events at night time.”
The committee plans for the stay at the Grandview location to be brief, and hopes for Community Health to be moved into the UMC by January 2008.
Committee members feel that at the UMC, Community Health will develop further and become even stronger.
“There is really a sense of community in the UMC. It’s where students can be seen and heard. We really need community health to be right in front of students. That’s how it can be the greatest resource to students,” Sorget said.
Another big change for Wardenburg was the elimination of the dental program.
“We felt our structure was too large – it was a shame, but our new insurance deal has offered students discounts to go through Aetna dentists,” Sorget said.
Based on committee recommendations, the health center switched to Electronic Medical Records, which forced a few staff positions to be cut. The insurance plan Wardenburg uses has also seen changes.
“We have a more competitive plan,” Sorget said. “We’ve eliminated co-pay, which has made it easier for students.”
There are no plans to cut any other programs from Wardenburg, but Sorget says that nothing is guaranteed.
Currently, the committee is employing a pilot “team concept” for practitioners at the clinic.
The “team” involves having one doctor, a few nurse practitioners and registered nurses, and an emergency medical technician working together to try to see as many patients as possible.
“If we get good results, while still providing students with the best health care possible then we will keep using the team concept,” Sorget said. “We’re reviewing every aspect of Wardenburg and asking ‘are we providing the best services to students?'”
