Health
HEALTH CENTER
The PLU Health Center is available to all PLU students five days per week. The Health Center offers a wide range of primary-care services, including evaluation and treatment of acute illnesses, management of chronic illnesses, health promotion and education, routine medical examinations, women’s health services, travel counseling, and immunizations.
All Health Center visits are offered at no charge regardless of a student’s insurance status, part-time or full-time status and international or domestic, graduate or undergraduate status.
The Health Center offers on-site rapid testing for strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis. The Center has an on-site lab to draw blood and to collect other laboratory specimens. The Health Center staff coordinates referrals for diagnostic tests, visits to specialists, physical therapy and other services.
PLU urges all students to carry their own health insurance. In addition, all domestic PLU undergraduates are automatically enrolled in the PLU Wellness Access Plan, which provides a spectrum of wellness services. These services include health education and fitness programs, financial assistance with services not covered by primary insurance plans, basic coverage for dental emergencies, access to a nutritionist, flu vaccines, and much more.
All new students must complete the Medical History Form and meet the PLU measles, mumps and rubella immunization requirements. These requirements are mandatory for enrollment, and more information is
available at www.plu.edu/health.
For the sake of everyone on campus, we urge students to be immunized in accordance with CDC guidelines. Prior to arrival at PLU, students are urged to ensure that they have been vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TdAP), meningitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV). TdAP should be updated every 10 years; meningitis should be updated within five years of starting college. Many insurance companies offer these vaccines at no charge, and these vaccines are often available at retail pharmacies.
New student athletes must undergo a pre-participation medical examination at the PLU Health Center. This service is free of charge. Students who live within driving distance of PLU must have this examination completed by Aug. 1. This examination must be performed at the PLU Health Center; we do not accept paperwork completed by outside healthcare providers. Students can schedule an appointment by visiting us at www.plu.edu/health, sending an email to health@plu.edu, or by calling 253-535-7337.
The Health Center is happy to provide treatment, including prescriptions from our on-site pharmacy or from retail pharmacies.
This includes common conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, asthma, allergies, high blood pressure and other common primary-care concerns. If the need arises, the Health Center staff may refer to outside providers.
For students who require the care of a specialist for an ongoing medical or psychiatric condition, we urge students and parents to coordinate with a specialist close to PLU prior to arrival. If you request assistance with finding a specialist, please contact the PLU Health Center at 253-535-7337 or email health@plu.edu.
Local Hospitals & Clinics
Good Samaritan Hospital (MultiCare)
407 14th Ave. S.E.
Puyallup, WA 98372
253-697-4000
Tacoma General Hospital (MultiCare)
315 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Tacoma, WA 98405-4234
253-403-1000
St. Joseph Medical Center (Franciscan Health System)
1717 South J St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
253-426-4101
St. Clare Hospital (Franciscan Health System)
11315 Bridgeport Way S.W.
Lakewood, WA 98499
253-985-1711
Local Urgent Care Centers
Spanaway MultiCare – Urgent Care Center
225 176th St. S.
Spanaway, WA 98387
253-459-7770
Spanaway General Medical Center
15005 Pacific Ave.
Spanaway, WA 98444
253-537-3724