Wellness Center

Buena Vista University offers health and wellness services to students on campus. From your physical health, to fitness and on-campus counseling, we have you covered. We care about your health and well-being, in every sense of the word!

Health and Wellness Center

Health Services

Health Services creates a culture of care, so you feel cared for as an individual! The staff is committed to encouraging students to collaborate and engage in the services provided. We want you to feel you have inherent value and the right to be treated with dignity. We enhance the educational process by helping to change or modify health-related barriers, promoting optimal wellness and educating students to make informed decisions about health-related concerns.

Our services are professional and confidential.

Services Offered

  • Assessment and treatment of illness and injury
  • Emergency care
  • Referrals and appointments made to appropriate health care providers, such as physicians, dentists, optometrists, and counselors
  • Over-the-counter medications and basic medical supplies, free of charge
  • Loan of special equipment, including crutches, cold/heat packs, and vaporizers
  • Medical treatments and monitoring, such as blood pressure screenings and weight checks
  • Suture removal
  • Wound care
  • Ear irrigation
  • CLIA Waived lab tests free of charge
  • Injections by request, with client-provided medication, with the exception of allergy injections
  • Assistance with billing and insurance questions
  • Free influenza vaccine every fall to students, faculty, and staff

Contact

Phone: 712.749.1238
Fax: 712.749.1467
wellnesscenter@bvu.edu

Office Location & Hours

Dixon-Eilers Hall 207 & 208
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Counseling Services

BVU's Counseling Services are offered free of charge to our Storm Lake campus students. Appointments can be conveniently made through our online portal. Our mission is to enhance the academic environment and to promote the wellbeing of our students through mental health services. 

Counseling Services are professional and confidential.

Services Offered

  • Individual counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Consultations, assessments, and treatments
  • Off-campus referrals
  • Support groups
  • Crisis Services Educational Programming

If you need emergency mental health assistance, please use one or more of the following resources:

  • Call Campus Security at 712.749.2500
  • Call 911
  • In a situation of imminent harm, call or have a family member or friend call your local hospital's emergency department. 
  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255
  • Text the Crisis Text Line by texting START to 741741 

Counseling Services Contact

Phone: 712.749.1238
wellnesscenter@bvu.edu 

Students: schedule appointments, submit forms and insurance information that are required before the start of the academic year on our Storm Lake campus.

running shoes

Wellness Room

Located in Siebens Fieldhouse, the Wellness Room offers audio/video equipment, mats, mounted ballet bar, exercise balls, steps, exercise bands and a small video library of exercise tapes and DVDs. The room is open at all times!

3 hands in

Counseling and Mental Health

Help manage stress and take care of your mental health! Counseling services from Buena Vista University are free and confidential, and can be done in-person or remotely.

hand holding a heart icon

Relaxation Resources

Need to unwind from all the stressors of college life? Unwind and recharge! The Relaxation Room offers free tools for BVU students, including relaxation music. You can also find a full-body massage chair and light therapy across the hall in Health Services. 

student icon

Health & Wellness Coaching

An individualized process that empowers students to focus on their overall health and well-being, facilitated by our certified Health & Wellness Coaches.

Health Services Requirements for Students

First-Year and Transfer Students

Please submit your completed Student Health Form including current immunization record and insurance card front/back by Aug. 1 if entering Fall semester and Dec. 15 if entering Spring semester. This form must be received and immunization status approved before you are permitted to complete the validation process.

Insurance Requirements for Student-Athletes

Student-athletes are required to have coverage for intercollegiate sport activities to protect athletes in case of injuries or accidents that may occur during training, competition, or travel for your sport. A copy of the primary insurance card must be turned in to the Buena Vista University athletic department on a yearly basis before student-athletes are allowed to participate in any team-related activities. These activities include conditioning, lifting, practicing, and participating in athletic events. This process has not changed from what has been done in prior years. 

Student-athletes who do not have sufficient coverage for intercollegiate sport activities or don’t have access to a policy will be required to enroll in a Sports Accident policy. Student-athletes will be responsible for paying the premium for the policy and BVU staff can assist in the enrollment process. Student-athletes must be enrolled and the premium paid prior to participating in any sport-related activities. The link to enroll in the Sports Accident policy can be found here

First Care FAQ

Requirements for International Students

International students attending BVU are required to have health insurance coverage to ensure they can access medical services while they are away from their own country. BVU will have a plan designed specially to meet the VISA requirements and all international students will be automatically enrolled in the plan and the premium charge will be charged to the student’s account.

While insurance requirements are mandatory for all athletes and international students, it is recommended that everyone have appropriate insurance coverage. You can visit the First Agency website or Iowa Medicaid website to explore various options available to all students. 

Any inquiries, please contact the Business Office at 712.749.2041 or Health Services at 712.749.1238.

Interested in becoming a voice for healthy living on campus? Join Team Wellness and volunteer your time and talents as peer educators, advocates, leaders, and mentors. Learn More

Wellness Center Staff

Nichole Hoffman
Nichole Hoffman
Director of Wellness Center & Campus Nurse
Meet Nichole
Alicia Staiert
Alicia Staiert
Campus Nurse
Meet Alicia
Rochelle Warner
Rochelle Warner
Administrative Assistant for Student Success and Wellness
Meet Rochelle