When she was a college student, Houry Tanashian didn’t know where the campus health center was. Tanashian, now a registered nurse and the director of the Student Health Center at Pierce College, works to make sure students don’t feel the confusion she did about the resources that are available to them.
The Student Health Center held an Open House and Resource Fair on Sept. 25 to spread the word to students and faculty about the center’s offerings.
Tanashian emphasized the importance of these resource fairs.
“We’ve had an increasing number of students, and I feel our outreaches are working,” Tanashian said. “That’s why we’re out here letting people know it’s a good service.”
The center features three medical examination rooms and a dedicated psychology office. Services include HIV testing, cancer screenings and affordable prescriptions, with no charges incurred unless blood work is sent out.
The Student Health Center also welcomes students without health insurance or those who are undocumented, offering confidential services without the need for insurance.
Tanashian noted that mental health care can be expensive, pointing out the free counseling sessions that the center offers as an essential service for those in need.
The center also offers many other services like eye exams, contraceptives and more, working to ensure a complete approach to student health.
The Student Health Center is partnered with organizations like NorthEast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC), an organization that helps address broader community health issues.
NEVHC Supervisor Giovanni Perez and Customer Relations Coordinator Emily Hernandez noted the importance of support for uninsured students.
“We do get a lot of students that don’t have health insurance,” Hernandez said. “I enjoy helping our community. We also help with housing, we do a lot.”
Perez explained how they extend support beyond health services, assisting individuals facing food and housing insecurity throughout the community as well.
“We sort of are a general assistance program,” Perez added.
Student Mira Mihciya appreciates the efforts of the center and decided to volunteer to better familiarize herself with the campus.
“It’s amazing they’re doing this,” Mihciya said. “It opens your eyes to how many resources there really are here on campus.”
As a first-year student, Mihciya is eager to learn about all available opportunities that Pierce has to offer.
Many students who are familiar with the center see it as a beacon for resources and information.
Student Salvina Sahakyn shared how the center has been an asset to her as an international student.
“They’re doing a lot of good things for the students and faculty,” Sahakyn said. “Especially for international students. We do have healthcare, but it isn’t as wide as we’d like it to be.”
