A year ago, the Colorado State University Health Network shifted over into the CSU Health and Medical Center, a new building with resources focused on medical and counseling services for students.

Over the year, the CSU Health Network has seen a significant increase in students accessing the new location. Kate Hagdorn, associate director of communications for the Health Network, wrote in an email to The Collegian that the Health and Medical Center has witnessed a 4.75 percent increase in students served and an 8.09 percent increase in student encounters.

Originally, medical services were conducted in Hartshorn and counseling services were found in Aylesworth. From July 2016 to June 2017, the final year in these buildings, 15,294 distinct students were served.

The new building, found on the corner of Lake Street and College Avenue, has served 16,020 distinct students in its first year of being open.

“Service utilization growth greatly outpaced CSU enrollment growth of 0.5 percent in the same time period,” Hagdorn wrote.

In regards to encounters— which are classified as appointments, prescription fills and lab orders, etc— the original buildings served 101,800 students in their final year, Hagdorn wrote. The new building has since served 111,034 students, with an average of 6.9 encounters per student served.

Hagdorn wrote the increased interest in the new building comes from the convenience the location offers.

“For the first time, all CSU Health Network services are located in one building, and students have told us that they appreciate the convenience of the new building as their ‘home for health’ at CSU for both their medical and mental health needs,” Hagdorn wrote.

Other features of the new building include free parking during appointments and ease of access by bike, walking or MAX Transit Route.

The design of the building is also a draw for students, Hagdorn wrote, due to the abundant natural light, natural materials, bright colors, fireplaces, comfortable furniture and the “state-of-the-art” nature of the facility.

For the first time, all CSU Health Network services are located in one building, and students have told us that they appreciate the convenience of the new building as their ‘home for health’ at CSU for both their medical and mental health needs,”

Kate Hagdorn, associate director of communications

The new location has also been a benefit to those working in the Network, Hagdorn wrote.

“The new location provides more space than our old buildings, as well as updated design that meets or exceeds the current standards of medical and counseling facilities,” Hagdorn wrote. “This allows us to serve more students, and as demand for services continue to increase, to serve those students more efficiently.”

Hagdorn also said the welcoming and comforting space of the building has made the area a place where students want to spend time, removing the stigma associated with seeking care for medical or mental needs.

Currently, the CSU Health network is the primary tenant of the Health and Medical Center. Building partners share the first floor and include UCHealth, Associates in Family Medicine, Poudre Infusion Therapy and Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center. 

Services at the Health and Medical Center include general medical services, specialty medical services, counseling services, health education and prevention services and business services, 

The Health and Medical Center will be hosting a Student Health Fair on Oct. 18 for students and community members to come learn more about the Network and services offered in the new building.

Charlotte Lang can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @ChartrickWrites.