Plans in the works to close MSU health clinic for students and change how care is offered
An on-campus health clinic serving Midwestern State University students since the 1950s is slated to close its doors to in-person visits in January with a planned shift to telemedicine, an MSU official said.
The university might reopen the Vinson Health Center in fall 2024, Julie Gaynor, MSU director of marketing and public affairs, said in an emailed statement last week.
"As telehealth has become more readily available, especially through insurance providers, students are utilizing those services more and more," Gaynor said. "Virtual platforms provide greater flexibility in accessing medical services."
More: Clay County native officially appointed MSU president
Why are these changes in the works now?
Gaynor said officials are constantly evaluating services to make sure MSU is using student fees efficiently. The Vinson Health Center's budget is $455,586 for this fiscal year, including costs for a staff of four.
Students have been using the clinic, now offering a range of services to enrolled students from women's health to treatment of general illnesses to flu shots.
A doctor's visit has a $25 copay and various fees apply, depending on the service. A prescription can be filled at any pharmacy in Texas, but Trott's Call Field Drug offers discounts to students who show their valid MSU identification card.
During the last fall and spring terms from Aug. 15, 2022, to April 30, the clinic had 826 appointments for the 185 days it was open. That's an average of about 4.5 a day.
MSU Texas is working toward change for the way it offers students medical care.
The university issued a request for proposal for healthcare services, looking to find an outside vender to offer virtual care with local referral options, Gaynor said. The goal is to begin making telemedicine available in January.
"Concurrently, the university is working to provide an outsourced on-campus clinic for Fall 2024," she said.
Through the bid process, MSU is exploring options for a health center that could possibly offer expanded services and hours not just for students but also faculty and staff members, Gaynor said.
Reopening the Vinson Health Center depends on whether MSU gets a suitable bid from an outside vender to run the clinic, according to Gaynor.
She went back to MSU Board minutes and a more recent history of the university to find out how the health center got started.
In 1947, the president back then received authorization to establish on-campus infirmary services. MSU officials opened bids and awarded a contract to work on the building in 1950. The university hired an infirmary supervisor in 1951 to begin a long tradition of offering on-campus medical care.
Also in 1950, Jerry Vinson, the founder of The Wichitan and a 1926 graduate, stepped in to give $15,000 to brick the infirmary, according to “Midwestern State University: The Better Part of a Century” by Dr. Everett Kindig. It was named after him in honor of his generosity.
In 2009, the Vinson Health Center moved out of the infirmary building along Hampstead Lane to its south campus location as part of the Bruce and Graciela Redwine Student Wellness Center, Gaynor said.
Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: MSU Vinson Health Center to close, shift to telemedicine next year
