Health Services

Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Health Services office is located on the 2nd floor of the Kent Campus Building near Student Development. A private entrance is at the end of the hallway and is shared with Counseling Services. Services are free, and Health Services does not bill insurance.

For after hours care on campus (daily and weekends):
Contact your Community Advisor (CA) or Area Coordinator if you become ill or injured. They will assist you in accessing care.

For a phone assessment of a medical situation (daily and weekends):
Contact My UnityPoint Nurse at +1 (800) 424-3258 or the MercyOne Nurse Line at (319) 272-2600.

If this is a more urgent matter, please notify your Community Advisor (CA) and call Campus Security at (515) 961-1711. If this is a medical emergency, please call 911.

Note: All students are required to complete the electronic health form and provide proof of immunizations through the electronic health records, Medicat. Login into the patient portal here by using your Simpson username and password.

About Health Services

Free and discounted products and services available to students including:

Emergency first aid services
Assessment of illness and injury
Referral and appointment assistance to appropriate health care providers (specialists, dentists, immunizations, etc. at the student’s expense)
Over-the-counter medications and basic medical supplies at no charge. Includes acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, cold symptom relief, throat lozenges, cough drops, antibiotic ointment, bandages, disposable thermometers, etc.
Some prescription medications may be ordered at HS and picked up at the local pharmacy
Medical equipment at no charge: crutches, slings, ace wraps, ice packs, etc.
Free testing: Strep, Urine, Blood Glucose, Pregnancy, COVID-19, influenza, and STI testing
Emergency Contraception
Ongoing birth control shots such as Depo
Health education materials and resources
Wellness programming and events throughout the year
No allergy shots are given at Health Services. Please see the list of local providers for such services.

Indianola Medical Clinics

Students may access medical care in Indianola at one of the following clinics. Students calling for appointments should identify themselves as a Simpson student and present proof of insurance and photo ID. Money may be needed for a co-pay at the time of the visit.

The Iowa Clinic
1504 N 1st St
Ph: 515-875-9520

Indianola Family Medicine/Unity Point
301 E. Hillcrest Ave
Ph: 515-961-3700

Mercy Indianola Clinic
307 E. Scenic Valley Ave
Ph: 515-961-8448

Warren County Public Health
301 N Buxton Street
Ph: 515-961-1074

Mercy Indianola Urgent Care
2006 North 4th Street, Suite 200
Ph: 515-461-9784

After Hours Care: Daily & Weekends
Emergency – Dial 911 or Campus Security @ 515-961-1711
If you become ill or injured, contact your community advisor (CA). They can assist you in accessing care.

Phone assessment of a medical situation/Daily & Weekends
My Unity Point Nurse
Mercy Family Help Line

Des Moines Metro Hospitals

UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center 1200 Pleasant Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515-241-6212	UnityPoint Health – Methodist West Hospital 1660 60th Street West Des Moines, IA 50266 515-343-1000
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center 1111 6th Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-247-3121	MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center 1755 59th Place West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 515-358-8000
Broadlawns Medical Center 1801 Hickman Road Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-282-2200

Meet the Health Services Staff

Katie Lee

Director of Health Services
Nurse Practitioner

Michelle Collette

Medical Director
Nurse Practitioner

All Faculty & Staff

Important Health Forms

Immunization Waiver - Medical Exemption

Download

Immunization Waiver - Religious Exemption

Download

Release of Medical Info Form

Download

International Student TB SCREENING Form

Download

International Student TB TESTING Form

Download

Additional Health Services Information

Transportation Options

Transportation options for students in Indianola and the surrounding area.

HIRTA

Buses are available for rides scheduled one day in advance and door-to-door rides.
Visit their website, call – 1-877-686-0029 or email – erides@ridehirta.com

DART Bus Lines

Once in Des Moines, the buses are available as early as 5:45 AM and as late as 11:30 PM.
Visit the website to plan your route.

Taxi Cab Services

Taxis are available 24/7/365 or by appointment.
Yellow Cab Company: 515-243-1111
The most current rates can be found here.

Uber and Lyft Services

Download the UBER app (Apple, Google) and schedule a ride.
Download the Lyft app (Apple, Google) and schedule a ride.

Hospitalization

Students needing special or emergency care should utilize the hospitals in the Des Moines area. Des Moines Hospitals include Unity Point, Mercy One, and Broadlawns Medical Center. All hospital services are at the student’s expense.

Medical Excuses

The Office of Student Development (x1592 or x1306) should be notified when an extended illness, hospitalization, or family emergency occurs. Student Development will begin notifying the student’s faculty and other college personnel. When a minor illness causes an absence from class, the student must notify instructors of the reason for the absence. It is also the student’s responsibility to make up the work missed during any class absence.

Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing

Free STI and HIV testing is available at Health Services every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00 starting in September through April. Walk-ins are welcomed. Additional limited STI testing is available at Health Services free of charge, but appointments are required (email healthservices@simpson.edu). Other testing can be done in Des Moines at Polk County Public Health.

Physical Exams

A yearly physical exam is recommended for all students. All athletes must receive a sports physical and turn in completed forms to ATS. NCAA regulations require that the athletic physical exam be dated within 12 months of the athlete’s first scheduled practice. Athletes will not be able to practice or participate if the physical has expired (12 mo + 1 day or more).

Tuberculosis (TB) Testing Policy

Simpson College developed the following Tuberculosis Testing Policy in June 2013 regarding tuberculosis testing in accordance with the American College Health Association guidelines.

Health Services and Study Abroad

Simpson College highly recommends that students and college personnel traveling to high-risk areas of the world complete a TB test within 8-10 weeks after leaving the high-incidence area. Areas of high incidence and local testing resources can be found on the “TB Screening Form.”

Health Insurance Information

Health Insurance

Simpson College requires all Intercollegiate Student Athletes (not intramural students) to provide proof of health insurance. All other students are strongly encouraged to have health insurance and carry their insurance cards with them to access local medical care.

Intercollegiate Student Athletes

Intercollegiate Student Athletes must submit a copy of their insurance card and fill out forms through Athletic’s electronic records system before August 1. Instructions and a checklist can be found on the athletics website here. For questions, please contact Rebekah Kimzey.
Simpson College does not provide health insurance for traditional students. If students need to purchase health insurance, options can be viewed at Marketplace.
It is recommended students/parents call their insurance provider and check for In-Network providers in the Indianola/Des Moines area, especially if the insurance carrier is out of state.
Out-of-state Medicaid policies will NOT work in the state of Iowa. Please reapply for Iowa Medicaid so students are covered while living in Iowa.

International Students

International Students must provide annual proof that they have appropriate health insurance while studying in the United States. If you are unsure of what constitutes as “appropriate” coverage or if you need help securing appropriate coverage, please contact Keyah Levy for assistance. Students without appropriate health care insurance will be enrolled and billed for a plan, which will appear on their student account to ensure compliance.
International Athletes must submit a copy of their insurance card upon arrival at Simpson College and fill out forms through the Athletic’s electronic records system. Instructions and a checklist can be found on the athletics website.

Information for Parents

Parent Information

There are many things to consider as you prepare to send your student to college. Be sure to include supplies and resources for health issues on your list. Below are some suggestions to make that first experience with illness or injury away from home go more smoothly.

A basic first aid kit should include over-the-counter medications that may be needed, such as pain/fever medicine (Ibuprofen or Tylenol), cold/cough/decongestant medicine, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, Band-Aids, etc. A basic supply of the same preparations your student is accustomed to using at home will be appropriate for use at college.

Prepare prescription medications.

Bring an adequate supply and a refill prescription for local use if needed. Local pharmacies include Hy-Vee, Medicap, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart. Hy-Vee Pharmacy and Medicap may deliver depending on the class of prescription medication.

Talk about daily medications.

If students are taking medications regularly, summertime (or sooner) is a good time to teach them independence. Instructing them what the medication is for, when it should be taken, how to get refills, etc., are important life skills and will help your student succeed at college. A pillbox or phone app may help your student remember to take medications as directed.

Glasses and contacts: update prescriptions and supply of contacts.

Make an action plan.

Review with your student a plan of action if they become ill or injured. A solid first step in your plan is to be evaluated by the Health Service staff. Staff will assist students in sorting through illness and injury and make appropriate referrals as needed.

Chronic illness – For students attending college with a chronic illness, it is recommended to find a local provider if the home provider is not within a comfortable driving distance. Local medical providers can be found on the HS home page.

Communication – Students are responsible for communication with their professors if illness or injury should keep them from class.

Complete health form.

Complete Health Form and return to Health Services by August 1 for Fall and December 1 for Spring. Health forms can be found on the HS home page .

Get required immunizations.

Arrange for any remaining immunizations or boosters over the summer. Immunizations can be provided by your local provider, county public health office, or pharmacy.

Required Immunizations