UNIVERSITY ^of ARKANSAS

PAT WALKER HEALTH CENTER

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History

SHAC (Student Health Advisory Committee)

UHAC (University Health Advisory Committee)

Historical Events of Health Services

at the University of Arkansas

1889 - Arkansas state funds, known as "Infirmary Expenses," enable the use of two dedicated rooms in a dormitory for isolating students who were sick with communicable disease.

1895 - The dormitory infirmary rooms are greatly in need of repair. The University Infirmary Association successfully lobbies for $250 to be appropriated from the State for upkeep of the two rooms.

1901 - Funding of $350 from the State allow for the hiring of two infirmary employees and two physicians to care for and visit the sick students in the designated dormitory infirmary rooms.

1904 - A typhoid epidemic stimulates the idea of developing an actual infirmary on campus.

1905 - A sum of $5,000 is appropriated to the University for the construction of an infirmary. It will take two years to complete the construction of the building.

1906 - the Board of Trustees established the first annual health fee for students at the cost of 50 cents per student.

1907 - The new infirmary consists of six beds for in-patient care and is staffed by a physician and resident nurse. For the next 30 years, the infirmary would remain at this location; the staff will increase to include an additional part-time physician and several more nurses.

1939 - The infirmary relocated to a four story facility to accommodate the additional staff, including a cook. Now there are 20 beds for in-patient care. For the next 27 years, services are provide at the four story facility.

1966 - The Fount Richardson Student Health Service facility opens with 4 full-time physicians, 10 nurses, 3 cooks, 2 live-in houseboys, and is able to accommodate 50 inpatients. Services will continue to be offered at this location for the next 38 years.

1967 - The staff is increased to include a psychiatrist for the addition of mental health services as part of the Student Health Services.

1971 - A pharmacy is added to the Student Health Services. The staff now includes 5 physicians, 12 nurses, 1 pharmacist, 1 lab technician, 1 psychiatrist, 1 psychologist, 2 social workers, and 8 clerical staff. the health center has changed to a holistic model with the provision of comprehensive services.

1980 - The first non-physician Director is appointed.

1983 - The Health Education Program begins with the addition of one part-time health educator. This marks the beginnings of a prevention/health promotion model of services.

1984 - The Women's Clinic opens to expand the services offered by the Student Health Services.

1985 - Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) opens to now provide the mental health services of the Student Health Services. In-patient and 24-hour medical care ends as CAPS occupies the former infirmary space on the 2nd floor of the Fount Richardson Student Health Services facility.

1987 - A substance abuse prevention program begins in the Health Promotion Department. Accreditation by the Accreditation Assoication for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. is achieved.

Late 1980's - A collaborative effort between Student Health Services and the College of Education and Health Professions begins with the offering of lifestyle improvement courses (HLSC 2101). These courses continue to be offered today.

1991 - The University reduces funding to the Student Health Services, creating the need for a mandatory semester health fee. The name is changed to University Health Center and renewal of accreditation is achieved.  A 10% increase in use occurs.

1992 - The HIV testing program known as "Close Encounters" begins. This service is still offered today. Also, another 10% increase in use of the health services is experienced.

1993 - Sexual assault prevention and HIV/AIDS prevention programs begin.

1996 - The Women's Clinic moves to the second floor of the University Health Center. CAPS experiences 100% increase in use since 1992. The size of the building presents problems for increasing demand for services from all of the health services.

1997 - Health Promotion and Education begins the Exhibit Coordinator Program as a way to further reach out on campus and deliver health information.

1998 - STAR Central is created as the Office of Support, Training, Advocacy, and Resources for education and advocacy services regarding sexual assault and relationship violence. Annual grants through the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence begin and fund much of the efforts that reach out against sexual and relationship violence.

1999 - The health fee becomes a fee per credit hour. Staff consists of 6 physicians, 10 nurses, 3 health educators, 7 mental health clinicians, and numerous allied healthcare providers and support staff. Planning begins for the construction of a new building.

2000 - The University Health Center became an auxiliary unit of the University of Arkansas. Accreditation achieved for the fifth time from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. A murder-suicide tragedy hit campus on August 28th with immediate emergency response and post trauma follow-up services provided by CAPS. Current building size continues to present problems for meeting the growing need and demand for health services.

2001 - STAR Central sexual assault peer education internship program began in January as awareness and risk reduction education efforts increased. CAPS added another mental health clinician to the staff. The new building project design prepared for the corner of Maple and Garland. The first gift of $3 million pledged to the new facility. The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) established to facilitate greater input from students.

2002 - Annual grants from Ozark Affiliate of Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation begin. Building fee of $.85 per credit hour approved by Student Fee Review Committee to pay off $4 million bond for a new health center. SHAC sponsored a student perceptions survey and two external consultant reviews completed. The sexual assault peer education internship program adopted the name R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought). 

2003 - Groundbreaking ceremony held for the new facility to be built on the corner of Maple and Garland. Announcement made that the new facility will be named Pat Walker Health Center. Accreditation by the Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. achieved for the 6th time. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. peer education programming began in First Year Experience classes. Second Annual Northwest Arkansas Take Back the Night March sponsored and coordinated by STAR Central and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. was held in April to raise awareness of violence against women.

2004 - Pat Walker Health Center construction completed. Health services relocate to the larger and more centrally located Pat Walker Health Center during the end of October. Primary Medical Clinic, Women's Clinic, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Health Promotion and Education begin to provide services in the Pat Walker Health Center on November 1st. Dedication of the Pat Walker Health Center and Northwest Residential Quadrangle held on November 12th. A new era of health services and health promotion and education begins in a building with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

2005 - One full year in the Pat Walker Health Center resulted in increased service in all areas. Credit-bearing classes as well as professional development classes were conducted in the multi-purpose room, creating a unique educational environment. TB screening of international students was implemented.

2006 - The Pat Walker Health Center served as a hub of training for students in health sciences, nursing, counselor education, social work, psychology and higher education, resulting in a visual and stimulating environment throughout the facility. Electronic surveys as well as web-based confidential messaging serve as precursors to electronic health records which are in the plans.

2007 - The Pat Walker Health Center receives award winning recognitions. The video created by UA Productions along with PWHC staff about the services offered by the PWHC won a regional award by NASPA IV-West for best DVD. NASPA is the student affairs administrators professional organization. Also, the RESPECT peer education program received national recognition as the 2007 Outstanding Affiliate for excellence in peer education programs. This was awarded by The Bacchus Network, the leading organization for peer education in the nation.