With the Ochsner Health System as the primary health service provider at Loyola University, registered nurse, Rebekah Eustler, assures many past complaints about the Student Health Clinic, including wait times, will be problems of the past.

When Loyola switched from the LSU Health System to Ochsner, Eustler said wait times and services provided by the clinic were the biggest complaints she received.

“We are changing the way we see patients, it used to be on a first come first serve basis,” Eustler said. “We would have walk-ins come in and they would possibly be seen before scheduled patients, now we will still see walk-in patients, but scheduled patients will get priority.”

Another complaint Eustler heard was that a doctor was not on staff full-time, which meant a physician only came when available, leaving patients waiting a day or more to visit with a doctor.

Eustler said Ochsner rectified the situation by hiring full-time nurse practitioner, Leah Bowers. Bowers will be able to diagnose minor illnesses, write prescriptions and perform minor surgeries such as stitching small wounds.

“The great thing about having these services is if we are unable to help, we can refer you to a doctor within the Ochsner Health System and schedule an appointment also,” Eustler said.

Eustler said patients would still be able to get the same services before and more: pelvic exams, sutures and in-house laboratory work. Some students are positive about the changes to the Student Health Services at Loyola.

“I’ve gone in the past and had to wait for a long time,” Chanel Guada, mass communication senior said. “I went in today and I was out in like 15 minutes, so that’s great.”

Bowers said not only should students expect better service, but faculty and staff also will be able to receive medical attention.

“Most importantly,” Bowers said, “is the fact that we will be reaching out to students on a regular basis and let them know we are here for them.”

Jaune Jackson can be reached at [email protected].