Health Services

Counseling Support Available

A student's experience at Wisconsin Lutheran College can be among the most enjoyable and rewarding of their lives. We know that college life also comes with challenges. It is natural and acceptable for people to want to talk with someone about personal and/or other challenges, including but not limited to the following: boundaries, relationship difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, eating concerns, or self-esteem issues.

To better meet the growing numbers and diverse needs of our student population, and to expand services and programming, WLC has partnered with Christian Family Solutions (WLCFS). Christian Family Solutions provides a wide range of counseling services and all of the mental health professionals serving WLC students are licensed by the State of Wisconsin.

Individual counseling is one of those key services and supports offered to help our students be more successful. An initial, short-term set of personal counseling sessions (which are generally 45 minutes in length) are available at no cost to any undergraduate student. If longer-term services are needed, there are several options to pay for continued services with your counselor.  If additional support is needed, such as psychiatric care, intensive outpatient, etc., the counselors and/or the Director of Health Services can also provide referrals/resources. 

On-Site Counselors

The counseling offices are located in the upper level of the Student Health Center. If you would like to learn more about the on-site counselors, please click on their names: Drew Dyrssen, Jodie Martens. Counselors are available by appointment. 

Making an Appointment

Appointments with Christian Family Solutions counselors can be requested in the following ways:

• ​Online at www.wlcfs.org/content/1/746/wlc.aspx
• Text WLCHelp to 484848
• Contact WLC's Director of Health Services at 414.443.8549 or jackie.kacmarynski@wlc.edu.
• Call Health Services at 414.443.8630 or email healthservices@wlc.edu.

Meeting Location Options

Christian Family Solutions has multiple clinic locations to meet the needs of our students. If you have a location preference, please specify that during the intake process.

• On-campus counseling center: Student Health Center at 529 N. 89th Street
• Christian Family Solutions Brookfie​ld clinic: 16535 W. Bluemound Road
• Christian Family Solutions Germantown clinic: ​W175 N11120 Stonewood Drive
• Online through a secure video ​platform

Group Counseling

Group counseling is an excellent way to talk with peers about a topic of interest, explore differences in how individuals deal with challenges, and help build character in yourself and those in the group. Groups are hosted on campus for your convenience and available to all students. Group options will be made available throughout the academic year and conducted based on student interest, need, and availability. If you are interested in group counseling support, please contact the Director of Health Services: jackie.kacmarynski@wlc.edu or 414.443.8549.

Mental Health Crisis

If you, or someone you know, is having a mental health crisis, call the Crisis Line, available 24/7, at 800.438.1772, option #1.

You may also bring a student to the Student Health Center during building hours.​

Emergency Situation

If you or someone else is in imminent danger and/or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 and then WLC Campus Safety at 414.443.8500. You may also bring a student who is in an urgent state to the Student Health Center during building hours.

Additional Faculty/Staff Resources

In addition to the counseling services provided through the partnership with Chistian Family Solutions, WLC is blessed to have many people working to help take care of our students. The following individuals are available to help - it's what they love to do - and students are encouraged to reach out and connect with one or more of them whenever needed and to learn about additional resources available.

• Jackie Kacmarynski: jackie.kacmarynski@wlc.edu or 414.443.8549
• Rev. Gregory Lyon: gregory.lyon@wlc.edu or 414.443.8551
• Rev. Wayne Shevey: wayne.shevey@wlc.edu or 414.443.8723
• Karen Sitz: karen.sitz@wlc.edu or 414.443.8797
• Your R.A. and/or R.C.
• Public Safety: 414.443.8500

Additional Mental Health Services

Treatment needs that involve services outside the scope of WLC Health Services, such as a psychiatric consultation, medication evaluation, or specialty counseling (e.g., substance abuse) result in appropriate referrals. In such cases, the individual is responsible for any costs associated with outside services. 

Students are encouraged to visit the Student Health Center before going off campus for medical assistance unless it is an emergency situation. Most services are offered at no cost to students, and many common health issues can be fully addressed by our staff. While appointments are recommended, especially when seeing a doctor or when you have a tight schedule, walk-ins are always welcome!

Doctor/Nurse Hours

• Monday: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (Doctor); 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Nurse)
• Tuesday: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. (Nurse)
• Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Nurse)
• Thursday: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (Doctor)
• Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Nurse)

Services Offered

Most doctor and nurse visits conducted by Health Services are offered at no cost to students.

• Flu Shots
• Over-the-counter medications
• Vaccinations*
• Writing prescriptions
• TB testing*
• Illness identification and treatment
• Physicals
• Travel screenings
• Lab work orders
• Medical condition monitoring

* Indicates there is likely a cost to the student. All medical charges must be paid at the Business Office. Email healthservices@wlc.edu or call 414.443.8630 for current pricing

In the case of a life threatening emergency, dial 911 from any phone, then call Campus Safety at 414.443.8500. Health Services should also be contacted at 414.443.8630. Many people in both of these departments are trained first responders.

Urgent care, but non-emergency concerns, should be directed first to Health Services during office hours. Many times the nurse or doctor can diagnose and/or prescribe methods or medications. If not, they will refer students to the appropriate next level of care.

Outside of Health Services office hours, students should contact the Resident Assistant (R.A.) on their floor or the Resident Counselor (R.C.) for their building for assistance in getting the care they need.

Our preferred Urgent Care Clinic is:
Plank Road After Hours Clinic
1155 North Mayfair Road
Wauwatosa, WI, 53226
Phone: 414.456.5990

Our preferred Emergency Room is:
Froedtert Hospital Emergency Department
Enter at 87th and Watertown Plank Road
Follow Signs to Emergency
414.805.6717

Wisconsin Lutheran College is committed to promoting health and wellness to support our students' academic success. We have a health care practitioner and a professional counselor on campus every weekday. Many services can be accessed at the Student Health Center, from simple over-the-counter medications, to injury and illness assessments, physicals, travel screenings, lab work, TB tests, and most vaccinations. When you access care on campus, many services at WLC are covered at no cost.

While the Student Health Center is a great resource and can handle many health concerns, having access to more care is essential. Emergencies arise, and health concerns can escalate and require more urgent care. We encourage you to carefully look over your personal health insurance policy, be sure you are eligible for benefits, and ensure that there are providers near WLC that accept your insurance coverage. It is also helpful to understand your deductible levels and pre-authorization requirements. Be sure that you are aware of where and how to best use your insurance coverage and that you have an insurance card with you at all times and have provided a copy to the Student Health Center. 

If you do not have health coverage, please contact Health Services at 414.443.8630 or email healthservices@wlc.edu. Resources and available options for obtaining health coverage will be provided.

Disclaimer: WLC does not necessarily endorse everything on the following websites, but they are provided as a service to obtain furthur information on health topics.

Depression

• National Institute of Mental Health

Dieting and Nutrition

• Nutrition.gov
• Food and Nutrition Information Center

Eating Disorders

• National Institute of Mental Health

Influenza

• National Center for Infectious Diseases

Life Challenges

• Focus on the Family

Meningitis

• Medline Plus
• Meningitis Foundation of America

Nutrition and Athletes

• Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Tobacco/Drugs

• National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• Medline Plus

Meningitis

Meningitis is a potentially fatal disease that can progress rapidly in just hours if untreated. Because this disease poses a particular threat to certain college students (i.e. freshmen students living in a dorm), it is important to become educated on the risks of the disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine created to prevent it.

For more information on meningitis, please read the information sheet.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening disease that damages the liver. A vaccination is available to help prevent the disease, but there may not be an effective cure for it once the infection is received.

To learn more about this serious disease and its vaccination, please read the information sheet.

Vaccination Procedures and Information

Visit the Student Health Center if you wish to receive a vaccination against Hepatitis B or Meningitis. This service is available to students at a cost, payable at the time of service.

1. Christian Life Counseling - (Counseling Staff)
   
   
2. Common Topics of Concern
   • Anxiety
   • Depression
     
   • Gambling
   • Grief and Loss
   • Panic Attacks
   • Perfectionism
   • Relationship Violence
   • Sleeping Better
   • Stalking
   • Stress
   • Suicide
     
     
3. Relaxation Audio Downloads: Developed by Marla Craig and Lana Harder, Program Development Staff at the University of Texas. Download these audio tracks for your iPod or other audio player:
   • Deep Breathing
   • Muscle Relaxation
   • Cruise Imagery
   • Forest Imagery
     
     
4. ULifeline Network - WLC partners with this provider for up to date resources and assessments
   
   
5. Mental Health America of Wisconsin - Online Anonymous Screening Tool and local referral resources

In-Bound Travel Health Screenings

A healthy campus is of vital importance to you and to us. The Student Health Center supports this through screenings and protocols meant to protect the student coming into this country to study or teach and for individuals who are returning from an extended trip abroad. This supports the health of the traveler and the entire WLC community.

For new students who have lived abroad during the three months prior to arriving on campus, the following are required:

• New Student Health Form
• Immunizations: Tetanus, MMR, Chicken Pox
• Full Physical
• Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire

Our medical staff provides follow-up care based upon the responses and conditions of each individual. Vaccines, health protocols, lab work, and other services are offered to follow through on any health concerns that arise following the screenings. Vaccines and TB skin tests are available at a cost to students, payable at the time of service.

Out-Bound Travel Recommendations & Vaccinations

Some of the great experiences of college for students involves travel overseas. Our wellness initiatives support the continued health of these students and faculty or staff members when they travel. It is important to come see us as soon as you make plans to go abroad. Some travel protocols take up to six months to complete.

Full physicals with a physician are available to students at no cost, including a review of immunization records.

Our office can provide health clearance for visa requirements as well as typical vaccines such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis), and Tetanus. Other specialty vaccines or protocols can be ordered. All available vaccines are offered at a cost to students, payable at the time of service. 

Through WLC's partnership with Scholastic Emergency Services (SES), students have access to a large network of resources including:

• Review of travel recommendations
• Automatic benefit with student health plan when 100+ miles from home
• Medical help: evacuation, compassionate visits, consultation, referral, admission & payment guarantee, prescription assistance
• Personal help: luggage, document assistance, legal referral, interpreter referral, repatriation

The SES website is very comprehensive in its content. It includes pre-travel specifics for each country and travel updates. The SES Reference number is 01-AA-SID-01031 and when prompted will give even more specifics.

First Aid & Defibrillator Training

Our Health Nurse, Cindy Sanders, is a certified provider of first aid, CPR and AED training programs through the American Heart Association. Many individuals on campus including coaching staff, residence life staff, campus security, team leaders and building managers are certified as first responders on our campus through this training. If you have a group that would like this training, please contact Cindy directly.

Warrior Wellness Weeks

The Student Health Center organizes an annual wellness program benefiting the entire campus. This event has always energized the campus in spring and brought a wave of energy back from break!