Flu (Influenza) shots are available to all Cal Poly Maritime Academy students at no cost during flu season. To get your flu shot, drop by the Student Health Center (SHC) or schedule your appointment.
Medical Care:
Confidential, high-quality, outpatient medical visits for acute & sub-acute illness & injury, basic mental health concerns, women's health & contraception, sports & travel medicine, immunizations, preventative health & more. After hours care, specialist care & comprehensive care for complex chronic conditions are beyond the scope of the Student Health Center (SHC). Interim & transitional care including coordination with off-campus providers and/or referral is provided when chronic or specialty care, complex diagnostic testing, hospitalization, or other services beyond the scope or hours of operation of the SHC are indicated.
Lab & X-ray: Free basic diagnostic lab tests & basic plain X-ray studies for conditions that are being treated at the SHC. More complex lab tests may be billed to students' private insurance.
Dispensary: The SHC dispensary stocks only the most common medications prescribed by SHC providers. Prescriptions from off-campus providers must be filled elsewhere.
Reproductive Health: We provide reproductive health care support - counseling for contraception/family planning, STI education/screening, pregnancy testing, medication abortion (MAB), and preventative care.
Condoms: Safe sex is always encouraged and free condoms are available in the SHC. Remember: No Glove, No Love!
Additional Resources
Dental Care
The Berkeley Free Clinic
The Berkeley Free Clinic provides free dental care to the local community for adults and children. Our goal is to provide a dental home for all people who use our services and may not be able to afford or lack access to quality dental care. People do not need to qualify for our services, insurance is not required, and anyone is welcome to participate but it is by lottery.
Solano Dental Clinic
2101 Courage Drive Fairfield, CA 94533
Phone: (707) 784-2010
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Emergency dental advice and services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After hours answering services available to contact RDA and Doctor in an emergency.
Western Dental Clinic
3587 SONOMA BLVD. VALLEJO, CA 94590
Phone: (800) 579-3783
Hours: Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Open Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday.
La Clinica Vallejo Dental
2920 Sonoma Blvd. Ste A Vallejo, CA - 94590-3879
Phone: (707) 558-2000
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We accept walk-in patients 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Lifelong Dental Care - Dental Clinic
1860 Alcatraz Ave. Berkeley, CA - 94703-2715
Phone: (510) 280-6080
We believe in health care for all. Call Patient Services to make a pre-registration appointment. We will determine your eligibility for our various programs
UCSF Dental School – Buchanan Dental Center
100 Buchanan Street San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415)476-5608
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Most of the providers are dental students. The students provide a wide range of comprehensive services including examinations, teeth cleaning, periodontal therapy, root canals, dental fillings, cosmetic procedures, bleaching, crowns, dental implants, extractions, dentures, bridges and treatment of dental emergencies. If you are accepted into the UCSF Dental Center Predoctoral Dental Clinic and have a flexible schedule, allowing for multiple appointments to complete a treatment plan, you will save approximately half the cost of what you would pay for treatment in a private dental practice.
Off-Campus STI Testing
Off-campus STI testing is available through the Solano County Health & Social Services Department.
Veterans Health Info
Student Veterans are growing in number on college campuses. Over 660,000 undergraduate students are Veterans, constituting about 3% of all undergraduates and approximately another 215,000 undergraduate students are military Service Members on active duty or in the reserves, constituting about 1% of all undergraduates. Supporting our student Veterans in successfully completing their studies at Cal Poly Maritime Academy is more important than ever.
My HealtheVet
My HealtheVet is the VA's Personal Health Record. It was designed for Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers. My HealtheVet helps you partner with your health care team including prescription refills and communication with your doctor
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. Or you can also use the Veterans Crisis Line online chat.
VA Mental Health Services (MHS) Website
Information on resources and initiatives for fulfilling its mission to maintain and improve the health and well-being of Veterans through excellence in health care, social services, education, and research.
VA Health Eligibility Information
Information on VA medical benefits and eligibility requirements.
This mobile app won an FCC award for helping people use technology to manage PTSD symptoms. The PTSD Coach app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Together with professional medical treatment, PTSD Coach provides you dependable resources you can trust. If you have, or think you might have PTSD, this app is for you. Family and friends can also learn from this app. PTSD Coach was created by the VA's National Center for PTSD. PTSD is a serious mental health condition that often requires professional evaluation and treatment. PTSD Coach is not intended to replace needed professional care.
After Hours Care
Call 911 for emergencies.
For other after-hours medical needs, see Emergency/After Hours Info section for local resources when the Student Health Center is closed.
Important Health Topics
Electronic Cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes, more commonly called e-cigarettes or e-cigs, have become increasingly popular among the general public. An e-cigarette is a device designed to simulate smoking a tobacco cigarette. It contains an atomizer or heater and cartridge that work together to release flavored vapor, often used to deliver nicotine. Many people see ‘vaping' as a harmless alternative to smoking tobacco, but using e-cigarettes carries many health risks.
Effects of E-Cigarettes
- The majority of e-cigarette ‘juices' contain nicotine, the most addictive substance known to humans. Even those that claim to be nicotine free may not be.
- E-cigarettes contain many different ingredients that can cause respiratory distress and irritate soft tissues in the throat, lungs, and eyes.
- There are numerous dangerous chemicals in e-cig vapor, including many that are in cigarettes as well as several that aren't.
Other Risks of E-Cigarettes
- E-cigarettes and their ‘juice' cartridges have been found to contain particles, whiskers, and pellets of tin and other metals, which could end up in a user's lungs.
- E-cig exhale and vapor contains many of the chemicals in the original inhale, including formaldehyde, meaning passersby are exposed to ‘secondhand vapor.'
- Some claim e-cigarettes are an effective way to quit smoking, but quit rates of e-cig users are no higher than average, and the FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a safe or effective method to help smokers quit.
- Fluids containing nicotine are poisonous, especially to children, and can be toxic if swallowed in even small amounts.
Prevention and Treatment of E-Cigarette Usage
- Don't start using e-cigarettes. Even if you use "nicotine free" juice, it still carries risks and may sometimes still contain nicotine, leading to addiction.
- If you want to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes or end a nicotine addiction, considering using FDA regulated NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) in the form of pill, patch, or lozenge.
- To make an appointment for smoking cessation call the SHC at (707) 654-1170.
Resources
Sleeping and Napping Tips
There are many different reasons that people experience problems with sleep. Sleep disturbance can be the result of anxiety, stress or physical problems/conditions. If you are experiencing a sleep disturbance, it might be helpful to consult with the SHC or your primary care provider. If you believe that stress or anxiety is the cause of your sleep problems, it might be helpful to consult a Psychologist.
Overall, we have a tendency to not make sleep a priority based on our busy schedules and a belief that we can make it up later. Think of sleep as #1 on your "to-do list." Do not make it the only thing you do only after everything else is done – stop other things so you get the sleep you need.
Basic Strategies for Better Sleep
Never Oversleep
Get up at about the same time every day (weekends too!), even on a morning after you have lost sleep. Sleeping late for just a couple of days can reset your body clock to a different cycle – you will be getting tired later and waking up later.
Set Your Body Clock
Light helps restart your body clock to its active daytime phase. So when you get up, get some sunlight in your room. If that's not possible, turn on all the lights in your room and walk around for a few minutes.
Exercise
Keep physically active during the day. This is especially important the day after a bad night's sleep because when you sleep less, you should be more active during the day. Studies have shown that strenuous exercise (brisk walking, swimming, jogging, squash, etc.) in the late afternoon may promote more restful sleep.
Take a Nap
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between 7 - 9 hours of sleep each night. Studies have shown that getting consistent sleep each night can regulate mood and is related to learning and memory functions. It may also be a critical factor in overall health, weight and energy level.
Did you know that taking a 20–30-minute nap could improve your academic performance? Follow the tips below and you will be on your way to success!
- Limit your nap to 20-30 minutes. This will boost your alertness, productivity and concentration.
- Set an alarm to wake you up in 20-30 minutes.
- Nap in the late morning or early afternoon. If you nap late in the day you may disrupt your nighttime sleep.
- Minimize sleep distractions with a dark and quiet place to nap. Use an eyeshade and earplugs.
