“Students are the reason the Student Health Center exists. Our purpose is to support their well‑being so they can thrive academically and personally,” said Cheryl Hug-English, M.D., MPH, medical director of the Student Health Center (SHC) on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
Students have free access to office visits as part of the student health fee. Additional fees apply for medications, some laboratory tests and X-rays, but all can be completed at the clinic.
“We are cognizant of cost, which is why we strive to reduce the financial burden for students as much as we can,” said Hug-English. “We are unusual compared to other community health care options as we are a one-stop shop with lab testing and x-rays happening on-site.”
With 20 exam rooms, services include:
- Acute care for illnesses and injuries
- Laboratory testing
- Immunizations
- Nutrition therapy
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
- Reproductive and sexual health
- Eating Disorder Treatment
- Sports medicine, including splints and braces
- Minor surgeries, such as toenail removal and biopsies
Serving students since 1902, the mission of SHC is to provide high-quality medical care to the student community, to promote healthy living, to stimulate better health awareness and to educate students and staff in therapeutic and preventive care. SHC is nationally accredited through the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC),
“While accreditation isn’t mandatory, I believe it is essential. As director, I see it as a commitment to ensuring the Student Health Center delivers the highest standard of care for our students,” said Hug-English.
In academic year 2024-25, SHC served over 21,000 students, providing 1,800 psychiatric appointments, 870 nutrition visits and 427 sports medicine visits. The clinic has a 95 percent satisfaction rate from students. The Student Health Center also provided many additional free services, including $1,800 for free flu shots and $36,000 in free lab tests. Faculty can also access the Student Health Center on a fee-for-service basis.
During the fall 2025 semester, the Student Health Center saw a 15.5 percent increase in student visits, reflecting a significant rise in use. By partnering closely with the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno (ASUN), SHC promotes its services to students from day one through orientation sessions and tabling events, and widespread QR codes across campus that make it easy for students to locate the clinic and access care.
“We are part of Nevada FIT for incoming freshmen and we are active on social media and [at] other events on campus,” said Hug-English. “We also provide Facebook Live opportunities for both incoming students and their parents to ask questions about how to access us and the services we provide.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, SHC has seen a significant increase in mental health visits and an increased demand for on-campus resources. Throughout the pandemic, the clinic team led vaccination and testing efforts for both faculty and students, playing a critical role in helping to reduce the spread of the virus.
Today, SHC continues to meet essential health care needs far beyond routine care for colds and flu. The clinic team sees scooter injuries, assists patients experiencing allergic reactions, and supports individuals facing serious health concerns such as cancer or cardiac issues. The clinicians are trained to stabilize patients who may require emergency‑room care, and by managing many conditions on site, SHC often helps students avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and the high costs associated with them. SHC continues to play a vital role in campus safety by providing essential immunizations and leading the response to any infectious‑disease outbreaks on campus.
“I often remind myself that many students are navigating health care independently for the first time,” said Hug‑English. “Our goal is to support them in maintaining their well‑being, which is why we focus not only on care, but on health education as well.”
Health tips for students and faculty alike include:
- Nourish your body
- Get enough sleep
- Move your body
- Manage your stress
- Stay connected with your campus community (in the form of clubs or organizations)
- Set healthy boundaries with technology (do not use one hour before bed)
Students can book appointments online or they can call (775) 784-6598 to schedule. Walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as the schedule allows.
“We have an exceptionally engaged team, and I’m proud of how close-knit we are,” said Hug‑English. “Together, we continue to strengthen and adapt our services to meet the evolving needs of our students.”
