Health Center

Health Center

Cohen Student Health Center
The Cohen Student Health Center provides primary care health services to the student body. The concept of “preventive medicine” and “wellness” is promoted through educational events on campus and “one-to-one health education.” Located near the campus bookstore, the Health Center provides physician and nursing hours on a daily basis Monday through Friday during the business day. Call the Health Center at 814-824-2431 to make an appointment.

Students are not charged or billed for their Cohen Student Health Center visit. If diagnostic testing, prescription medications, or specialist services are required, the student will be referred into the community as appropriate. In this event, the community providers of those services will bill insurance or charge the student. All students are expected to be covered by a family health insurance plan or enroll in the student health insurance plan through the University. Students requiring medical care in the evening or on an emergency basis can find a list of after hour community providers on the Health Center portal. A Pre-Admission Health Record, including a completed Immunization Record, is required of all students prior to admission. Transfer students and graduate students are required to have previous health records, including immunization records, transferred from their former academic institutions.  The Center can also help students with referrals to area specialists.

Vaccination policy
Mercyhurst requires that all incoming students, whether or not they reside on campus, provide physician/pharmacist verification of two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine as well as verification of completion of the COVID19 vaccine series (2-doses or 1-dose depending on the particular vaccine selected).  Pennsylvania law also requires that any student living in campus-owned housing provide proof of one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine before being permitted to move on campus.  Students not providing proof of these required vaccines or not turning in a completed Health Record risk delays on move-in day.  In addition, their ability to register for classes for the upcoming semester may be jeopardized.

In addition to the two required vaccinations noted above, the following vaccines/vaccine series are strongly recommended: 

  •  A “booster” dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (ACWY) at age 16
  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)
  • Polio
  • Varicella (chicken pox)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Annual flu vaccine

The meningitis B vaccine and pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for students with certain medical risk factors. Students should consult their physician regarding the advisability of these vaccines, or with any other vaccine-related questions. 

Mercyhurst recognizes that some students may not be able to obtain a vaccine due to a medical or other issue. Pennsylvania law does permit a waiver of vaccine requirements for medical or religious/philosophical reasons. All waiver requests must be directed to Cohen Student Health Center. Waivers are not approved without receipt of the specific documents and statements required. Any student18 or older must be the individual requesting and signing the waiver.

In the event of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases, the University will consider and may require temporary exclusion of non-immunized students from school in order to reduce the spread of the disease. Financial refunds or additional time to make up any missed coursework are not guaranteed in the event of mandatory absence under this policy.

The full policy on vaccination and Health Record requirements can be found here. Contact the Cohen Student Health Center at 814-824-2431 if there are questions. 

Tobacco-Free Policy
In keeping with the University’s commitment to provide a safe and healthy work environment, and consistent with Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act, smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco is prohibited at-all-times and at all locations on campus. This policy forbids the use of all nicotine, tobacco derived or tobacco-containing products, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, hookah-smoked products, and all forms of oral tobacco. The tobacco-free policy includes university-owned and leased facilities, properties, and grounds and extends to sidewalks adjacent to university buildings and grounds as well as personal vehicles on university property. This policy applies equally to all employees, students, visitors, vendors, contractors, and subcontractors.