The Wellness Center is staffed by a multidisciplinary team dedicated to caring and promoting wellness as a foundation for health, personal growth and success at Alfred University.
The Wellness Center aims to enhance the well-being and success of our diverse student body and university community by providing culturally-competent, ethical and research-based best practices. We function as collaborative and inclusive center, integrating health and counseling services, as well as prevention and education for a holistic approach to wellness. We maintain the highest standards of care by prioritizing professional development for staff, providing developmentally appropriate supervision of our trainees and contributing to research as scholars in our disciplines.
Location
The Wellness Center is located at 19 Park Street in Alfred, on the corner just past Herrick Library and the Saxon Inn.
The Wellness Center has launched a browser-based patient portal which allows students to conveniently manage their health and wellness information and interface with the Wellness Center. The portal offers the following services for students:
Exchange messages with the Wellness Center safely and securely through HIPAA compliant messaging system.
Manage health records and submit required paperwork.
Make appointments to use the Mind Spa.
NASPA's Culture of Respect Program
Alfred University took part in NASPA’s Culture of Respect’s two-year pilot program on sexual violence prevention efforts on our campus. Culture of respect builds the capacity of educational institutions to end sexual violence through ongoing, expansive organizational change. Having completed the program, we can now proudly and officially call our institution alumni of the program.
JED Campus
JED Campus is a signature program of The Jed Foundation (JED) designed to guide schools through a collaborative process of comprehensive systems, program and policy development with customized support to build upon existing student mental health, substance use and suicide prevention efforts. Alfred University has proudly earned the JED Campus seal.
Emergency Medical Care
If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis/emergency and are a student residing on or near campus, please contact Public Safety at 607-871-2108 or your Resident Director.
Additional options for after-hours assistance include the Allegany Mental Health Association 24 hour crisis line at 1-888-448-3367 and the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also text HOME to 741741 for the crisis text line.
Ambulance transports are provided at no cost from the Alfred Community to Hornell or Wellsville.
Hornell UR Medicine St. James Hospital Emergency Department 7329 Seneca Road North Hornell, NY 14843 607-247-2300
Wellsville UR Medicine Jones Memorial Hospital Emergency Department 191 North Main Street Wellsville, NY 585-593-1100
For non-emergency but more urgent matters, visit:
Hornell UR Medicine Urgent Care 7309 Seneca Road North, Suite 103 Hornell, NY Phone: 607-385-3800
Mental Health Resources
Review our robust Mental Health Resources page for links to helpful information on a variety of mental health concerns.
Insurance
All registered undergraduate students and graduate students (matriculating and non-matriculating) attending Alfred University are expected to carry health insurance. Alfred University does not offer health insurance at this time. For assistance in finding a plan that will meet your needs, please contact us.
All International students are required to enroll in the plan unless they provide proof of adequate coverage prior to their arrival on campus.
Services
The Wellness Center offers a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and administrative support staff who provide a wide range of services. If you require long term or complex care, you'll be referred to appropriate providers or agencies as warranted.
Excuses for Illness
The Wellness Center does offer documentation of illness to interested students. Wellness Center staff only provides verification of appointments actually attended at the Wellness Center, not proof of illness without Wellness Center treatment. You may use this documentation when discussing class or work absences. It is the decision of faculty and employers on how to deal with missed class time and any necessary arrangements for making up missed work.
Lab Tests
With a request from your health care provider, Health Services may obtain your lab specimens (ex. blood, urine) and process them through St. James Mercy Health's laboratory.
Your health care provider must complete the following form: Lab Work Obtained at Health Services External Provider Form. This required form ensures that your lab results will be communicated directly to your health care provider. The form can be faxed to the Wellness Center office at 607-871-2631. The form may also be mailed or hand delivered; the Wellness Center must receive this form before your appointment is scheduled.
Appointments (607-871-2400) are required for the lab specimens to be obtained at the Wellness Center. This service is available Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a venipuncture fee for blood draws, which can be billed to your AU student account. Fees for the actual laboratory tests are billed through St. James Mercy Health.
Some laboratory tests require specific handling and must be done in a laboratory setting. For those needs, you may contact St. James Mercy Health Laboratory at 607-324-8080 or Jones Memorial Hospital Laboratory at 585-593-4072 for more information.
Fees
There are no charges for office visits to the Wellness Center with the exception of Psychiatric Consultation visits. Nominal charges are made for lab tests, injections, special treatments and medications. Students who require specialists or emergency care are referred to the general hospitals in neighboring Hornell or Wellsville. You still maintain the right to choose a health care provider or place of hospitalization and must assume all financial obligations for off-campus medical/surgical care.
The college years can be extremely stressful, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, trouble focusing, and low motivation for many students. When that stress becomes unmanageable and interferes with learning, the Wellness Center offers confidential, short-term mental health support to assist students in addressing their problems.
Accessing Counseling Services
To schedule an appointment, please call the Wellness Center front desk at 607-871-2400. If you have seen a counselor in the past, you can also reach out to them directly.
Emergencies and After Hours
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis/emergency outside of Wellness Center office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), please contact your RA, GRD or Public Safety at 607-871-2108.
The Wellness Center offers the following services to all Alfred University students at no additional cost:
General Consultation: One-time meeting with a counselor to focus on answering questions about services provided at the Wellness Center, as well as referrals to community providers or other campus resources that provide student support.
Individual Counseling: Students meet one-on-one with a counselor to identify stressors and establish goals to improve mental, social, and emotional well-being. The Wellness Center uses a brief therapy model to best meet student needs with a focus on minimizing acute distress and problem-solving.
Crisis Support Services: Crisis support services are available on a walk-in basis during the Wellness Center's business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). These services are for students experiencing urgent situations that require immediate support to ensure safety to self and others.
Psychiatric Services: The Wellness Center has contracted with a community provider to offer psychiatric services including psychiatric evaluation and medication management services. There is a fee of $45 for the initial appointment and $30 for all follow-up appointments.
Peer to Peer Hotline: Middle Earth is a secure student-staffed hotline provided by the University of Albany that connects Alfred University and other SUNY students in need with peer counselors. Peer counselors can assess a student's wellbeing and if necessary, link students to appropriate mental health resources.
Students do not need to be in crisis to use the hotline. The hotline is open:
Monday to Thursday: 1 p.m. until 12 midnight
Friday to Sunday: 1 p.m. Friday through 12 midnight on Sunday (24/7 weekend hours)
Student Telecounseling Network (STCN): For a higher level of care and in order to stabilize intense mental health symptoms, SUNY Upstate is offering Student Telecounseling Network (STCN), which includes intensive CBT sessions and tele psychiatry at no additional cost. Please ask your counselor for more information about facilitating this specialized referral.
Outreach and Education: The Wellness Center provides educational programs and workshops tailored to various settings, including residence halls, classrooms, clubs and other organizational meetings, and virtual locations. Programs on stress management, self-care, sexual violence prevention, alcohol and drug education, and eating disorders are some examples of programs that have been offered in the past. If you are interested in hosting an outreach program, please contact the Health and Wellness Educator, James Ward, by calling the Wellness Center.
Confidentiality
The staff of the Wellness Center is personally, professionally, and ethically committed to upholding and protecting the privacy of our students. All patient information is kept entirely confidential unless:
It is a matter of saving a human life
Patients sign for release of information
We have been ordered by a court
Required by law
Located within the Wellness Center, Mind Spa is a quiet, wellness-oriented space offering a unique blend of amenities designed to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. It's your private place to get away, practice mindfulness and focus on self-care.
Jenny joined the Wellness Center in 2017. She brought with her 20 years of experience working as a patient service representative and financial counselor. She has extensive customer service, scheduling and billing experience in a medical setting to include mental health and substance abuse programs.
Jenny enjoys interacting and connecting with the students she serves. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, attending concerts, kayaking and traveling.
Pamela Jones, NP
Pam has worked in a variety of settings including hospital, Home Care and Education
Credentials
BSN Alfred University
MSN Community Health, Clinical Nurse Specialist, University of Rochester
FNP St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY
Clinical Interests
Women’s Health
Immunization
Community Health
Maintaining people at home
Professional Organizations
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society Charter Member and Past President
Phi Kappa Phi
Certification by AANP
Kara Taylor, Counselor
Kara is an NBCC Certified Counselor and received her M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Alfred University. She has been a member of the AU Counseling team since 2019. Kara has a passion for working with young adults and supporting students through the challenges unique to the college experience. Her approach to therapy is client-centered and trauma-informed, applying elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative and constructionist therapy to best meet the needs of individual students. In her free time, Kara enjoys playing guitar, skiing, and working toward therapy dog certification with her dog, Winnie.
James Ward, CAS, BS, CHES, Health and Wellness Educator
James earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion with a specialization in Community Health Administration and a Minor in Business Administration from Daemen University and then went on to earn his Certificate of Advanced Study in Public Health from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). James is excited to serve Alfred University and educate students in his lifelong home of Allegany County.
James is dedicated to meeting the needs of all students and educating and training them to be the most "outside of ordinary" they can be. In terms of clinical interests, James is particularly interested in promoting positive mental health, the health of the LGBT+ community, and the health of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. James is also proud to be a certified trainer in suicide prevention (QPR). In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his family, playing video games, and attempting aromatherapy.
Thomas Boyle, LPN
Thomas has been licensed as a Practical Nurse since 1992. He attended St. James Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and Alfred University for Health Sciences. He is experienced in many health and human services settings. Thomas' nursing experience includes hospital medical and surgical units, operating room, emergency room, and medical office nursing. Thomas is also trained in CPR and basic life support, rural trauma team development, Stop The Bleed, Disaster Life Support and Opioid Overdose Prevention.
Rachel Ahart
Rachel (she/her pronouns) is a Licensed Master of Social Work. She completed her bachelor's degree at Syracuse University and then her M.S.W. in Community Based Practice and Leadership at Fordham University. She is passionate about supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and completed an advanced certificate in Affirmative Therapy for Transgender Communities through Widener University.
Rachel has 4 years of clinical experience in mental health, and several years' experience working in community services, including work with survivors/victims of trauma, substance use, and adolescents with legal system involvement. Her values include trauma-informed, neurodiversity affirming, strengths-based approaches.
In her down-time, she can be found appreciating cats, kayaking, hiking, skiing, and crafting (knitting/crocheting especially).
Rod Jeffers
I am a New York registered Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). I graduated the Alfred University counseling program in 2013. I have nearly 10-years community mental health experience, serving people with a wide range of mental health concerns and co-occurring conditions. Prior to that, I worked over a decade in agencies services people with disabilities in a variety of roles, including direct care, vocational education, staff development, and human resources.
I grew up in Allegany County and lived here most of my life. Exploring the countryside, building trails, and taking photographs are among my interests. I also enjoy video games, traveling to far-off places, and researching my family history. When not doing that, my family and I chill at home with our two dogs and many cats.
If you or a friend experiences sexual assault or any form of sexual misconduct, we encourage you to tell someone about it and seek help. We are the only office on campus that is bound by confidentiality. However, you have choices about whom you disclose information to and which services you want to access. The staff at the Wellness Center can help you with these decisions and support you throughout the process.
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Wellness Center
The Wellness Center meets Alfred University students' health and counseling needs on-site with fully trained, licensed professionals.
