The Student Government Association partnered with the Center for Student Wellbeing on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to provide essential information for students about healthcare resources available both on campus and across the city.
Organized by senior marketing major I’Ja Wright, SGA representative to the Board of Trustees, the “Health Access and Equity Fair” sparked conversations among students and health advocates about expanding access to care.
As previously reported, the Student Health Center closed just before the start of the Fall 2024 semester. The college now offers virtual health care through TimelyCare, along with a new Student Wellbeing Center that combines counseling and student services.
From noon to 5 p.m. on the first floor of the Student Center, students explored virtual and in-person healthcare options while learning about accessible health insurance coverage.
“The point of this event is not only for me, but for all students that are on campus, transfers, commuters or students that aren’t from Chicago, to understand that there are so many options outside of TimelyCare that’s closer to them than they know.”
Marcos Martinez, program manager for the Affordable Care Act and senior self insurance program for Near North Health Service Corporation, was one of the people in attendance.
“The most important thing is that anybody that comes to this table today knows that there’s advocacy working hard to have access to health in every different shape and form that exists,” said Martinez.
Martinez explained that Near North Health not only helps with Medicaid and marketplace insurance but also advocates for accessibility, with 10 locations across Chicago, including near Columbia College and in South Side neighborhoods.
“We are advocates of access to health, so we try to make sure that any person that crosses our path has access to health as a human right, that it is.”
Some of the resources available were aimed at marginalized communities in finding local health care tailored to uninsured students and students newly introduced to the health care scene such as Kyndal Hill from Sista Afya. Hill stated that Sista Afya is a community care organization aiming to make mental wellness accessible and impactful through community care, “thrive in therapy” and developing mental wellness warriors.
“Peer support is very unique, because essentially, two Black women decided, Black women need more help than most of the demographics out here, and we can be the people who offer it to one another to heal together,” Hill said.
Chaselyn Lewis, a Title IX investigator for the Office of the Dean of Students, provided matching games and trivia to learn more about the office and services provided. Richard Chin, a licensed clinical social worker from the Center for Student Wellbeing, was also able to talk to students about available campus resources.
“We’re hoping that students will utilize us for the variety of services that we offer,” Chin said. “We provide mental health resources, but we also can help students with navigating their in-person health care needs.
Representing the Kinema Fitness center, junior audio arts major Lukas Gandara showcased fitness activities and encouraged other students to find community at the center.
“We try and welcome new people with open arms,” said Gandara. “We have a lot of new people actually coming every day, regardless of it being almost the end of the semester and I think it’s great that people are still eager to sign up and start working on themselves.”
Aby Rivera, an upstate volunteer program manager for Planned Parenthood, said that when they provide care to all, they mean it. Planned Parenthood is a dedicated healthcare provider, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, income level or zip code, Rivera said.
“Folks who come to Columbia that don’t have an on-site Health Center, we are more than happy to help assist with any range of services that are preventative care specific to reproductive health needs and or if they need referrals, we are more than happy to provide that,” said Rivera.
Senior communications major Ava Gotzkowsky said that having Planned Parenthood at the event was an incredible show of support for health care access and abortion access.
“The Student Government Association just seems to have a lot of little events that go on to build communities within the school and it seems like they were providing some really great resources for student health.”
Wright said students can stay informed through SGA newsletter and Instagram and by attending meetings.
“We’ve gone through a transitional stage at the college when it comes to different support services for students and one of the support services that’s no longer here anymore is our health care center,” said Wright.
Wright plans to advocate to bring back bi-monthly free testing and other services, possibly through Planned Parenthood.
“We get a wave of new students during the spring semester; it would be good to bring them back during that time, to give out that information as well.”
Copy edited by Doreen Abril Albuerne-Rodriguez
