Health Services

Our Health Services office is committed to the health of every Nichols student. With a registered nurse and physician on staff, the Merrill Health Center at Nichols is here to help whenever you are sick or injured, and to assist our students in maintaining optimum health and wellness while living on campus. We are equipped to handle everything from seasonal illnesses and common health concerns to the management of injuries and significant episodic and chronic health issues.

Open Monday through Friday, we provide care to all currently enrolled full-time day resident and commuter students. Students may contact Health Services during office hours  at 508-213-2238 or health.services@nichols.edu to schedule an appointment. 

Services

• Evaluations related to possible illnesses and injury
• Over the counter medications
• In-office rapid testing is available for the evaluation of strep throat, mono, influenza, pregnancy, and COVID. (Additional testing is available through outside laboratories.)
• Some prescription medication by injection
• Assistance and direct referrals when a student has difficulty with personal problems that are best addressed by other professionals
• Follow-up care
• Blood pressure, weight monitoring, BMI and body fat composition monitoring
• An information center stocked with health and wellness brochures and books

We comply with Massachusetts Department of Public Health standards and require a mask to be worn by all patients, visitors, vendors, and staff while inside our Wellness Center.

When students require medical attention outside of Health Service hours, Harrington Hospital, a regional healthcare system offering comprehensive care, is just 15 minutes from campus. Assistance and transportation is available.

Harrington HealthCare at Webster
(formerly Hubbard Hospital)
340 Thompson Road
Webster, MA 01570
(508) 949-8702

UMass Memorial Health- Harrington
(formerly Harrington Hospital)
100 South Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
(508) 765-9771

UrgentCare Express at Harrington
78 Sutton Avenue
Oxford, MA 01540
(508) 499-1760
Mon-Fri: 8am to 7pm
Sat-Sun: 8am to 5pm

Cost of care

Routine exams and care delivered by Health Services is free for all full-time students. X-rays, laboratory tests, emergency room fees, prescription drugs and other additional treatments or diagnostic procedures are the financial responsibility of the student. Students who are not covered by their parents’ insurance are required to purchase Nichols’ student health insurance, which is provided by Consolidated Health Plans. Additional information about the student health insurance can be found at universityhealthplans.com.

Health Services Confidentiality

Your medical records remain confidential and are maintained separately from your academic records. Student medical information may not be released without written authorization.

Students should contact Health Services directly with questions about their health and/or medical records. A signed HIPPA release is required for the Health Services staff to communicate with any other individual. Please note that a signed FERPA release does not apply to Health Services interactions.

Our Wellness Center is committed to the health and wellness of every Nichols student. Please contact us at (508) 213-2238 or health.services@nichols.edu. To schedule an appointment with a counselor, please contact us at counseling.services@nichols.edu or, for questions pertaining to mental health, please call (508) 213-2238.