Student Health and Wellness Handbook
Academic Year 2025-2026
This digital handbook provides details to assist medicine, medical biotechnology, nursing and pharmacy students in accessing care and resources during their tenure at University of Illinois Chicago Rockford (UIC Rockford).
This digital content outlines coverage provided to you by the Student Health Service Fee, the student health benefit program CampusCare, as well as additional college, university and external resources available to you. Review your health insurance certificate of coverage for details. Rules and benefits may change and it’s the policy holder’s responsibility to know and follow these rules. Should something change or you have questions, contact UIC Student Health and Wellness Rockford using contact information below.
UIC Student Health and Wellness Rockford welcomes your feedback and will continue to provide you with guidance for health and wellness services available to you.
SHW Handbook Details and pages
Best Practices and Health Services
Privacy:
To ensure the privacy of all University of Illinois Chicago Rockford (UIC Rockford) students (medicine, MBT, pharmacy or nursing), a student will never be scheduled with a provider who is responsible for grading or otherwise evaluating students. UIC Student Health and Wellness Rockford is on campus located in an area that is key-card-access-only for patients. Access is denied for all faculty and staff.
Should you chose to utilize Mile Square Health Center – L.P. Johnson Rockford, be certain to identify yourself as a student each time you call to schedule a health care-related appointment. *Please note that this site includes UIC clinical faculty, residents and students completing clinical rotations. The schedulers should list your concern as “UIC Rockford student” so that your privacy will not be compromised by anyone looking at a provider’s schedule. Your chart is tagged with a note that you are a student during registration, so fellow students will not open it.
Do not send any private health information or scheduling questions via personal or university email.
It is important that you establish care with a Primary Care Provider (PCP) i.e. Noel Pycior, MS, FNP-BC, to receive medical care. As a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who has practiced in the Rockford community since 2006, Noel can not only be your health care advocate, but also work with you to navigate the local health care systems.
As an advanced practice nurse (APN) and a board-certified family nurse practitioner (FNP), nurse practitioners like Noel blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management. FNPs bring a comprehensive perspective and personal touch to health care, providing a full range of primary, acute and specialty health care services, including but not limited to:
- Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays.
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections and injuries.
- Prescribing medications and other treatments.
- Managing patients’ overall care.
- Educating patients on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices.
To learn more about nurse practitioners, contact Noel Pycior, MS, FNP-BC, today or check out the American Association of Nurse Practitioner’s website: www.aanp.org.
*Please note, it is not necessary to have a PCP to access on-site counseling services or participate in any wellness activities.
During your student career, Student Health and Wellness Rockford can become your medical home for all of your general and mental health care needs. Our clinic is your first line for all questions and referrals for any kind of health, mental health and wellness needs.
For information on how to make appointments, location, hours, etc. review the details under Student Health Service Fee.
Once you have established care, check with the PCP on best ways to communicate. A confidential and efficient way to communicate with your provider is through the EPIC MyChart patient portal. Providers will not schedule or provide medical advice of any kind over UIC email.
Referrals for medical and mental health care services off site are provided regardless of your insurance coverage. We are well-versed in the local health systems and specialty offices in Rockford and in Chicago and can easily provide guidance and go through the authorization process if necessary. Schedule or call today so that we can assist you.
Should you chose to obtain the student health benefit plan CampusCare, all visits outside of primary care services on campus require prior approval. The program does not approve non-emergency care after it has been given. For questions or concerns about seeking medical services, consult with your PCP (Noel Pycior, MS, FNP-BC) (Mile Square Health Center – L.P. Johnson Rockford) or clarify coverage with the Campuscare administration offices. When in doubt, ask first.
Visit the CampusCare website for more detailed information regarding CampusCare coverage.
UIC Rockford Counseling and Psychiatry Services
UIC Student Health and Wellness is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and affirming environment for all students. We commit ourselves to creating an environment based on values that allow our diverse student body to access care, receive high-quality services and take positive pathways to sound mental health.
We recognize that many factors — including culture, racial/ethnic identities, socioeconomic status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, political viewpoints, religious/spiritual and/or philosophical beliefs, and physical, and cognitive abilities – are salient in students’ lives, and we are committed to welcoming all clients with respect and sensitivity.
Appointments
Counseling or student support and coaching services are available by appointment three days a week. This includes the ability to see your provider both in the office and via telehealth. Please note that evening appointments are available with all providers on Wednesdays.
Urgent visits
If you are in need of an appointment with our student health counselors, we can typically accommodate either a same-day appointment or an appointment within 24 hours. Simply call the clinic to inquire at 815-395-5870.
Scheduling
To schedule an appointment with one of our Psychiatry, Counseling or Wellness providers, please call Student Health and Wellness: 815-395-5870.
Our behavioral health team of providers are available the following days during the week and month:
Jacqueline Klietz, MS, LMFT
- Monday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Wednesday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Benjamin Shepherd, MD
- 3rd Wednesday of every month
- 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Judie Heinschel, PhD, MHNP-BC
- 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month
- 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment with any of our behavioral health, providers, please call Student Health and Wellness via the contact info listed above.
Counseling and Psychiatry Services
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency with an immediate threat to safety, call 911.
- Local Rockford and External Referral Networks Behavioral Health
- Mental Health Resources for Students of Color
- LGBTQIA+ Resources
- Resiliency Center
- Additional Resources
Wellness Activites
UIC Student Health and Wellness Rockford proudly provides a wide array of wellness activities to you at no cost. Supporting student learning and academic success by providing wellness services that promote healthy attitudes, behaviors and lifestyle is our goal. We believe that healthy and well students will make healthy and well future providers. Empowering students to make informed choices and enhance holistic well-being with information sessions, educational programs, skill-building activities and fun events are our key focus.
Wellness activities can take place in-person, or virtually. Do you have a study group, student organization, or friend group you would like to schedule a wellness event with? We are here for you and happy to provide either a one-time activity or several weeks of activities to enhance your well-being.
Wellness programming may include but not limited to:
- Yoga (Scheduled sessions throughout the year)
- Art Therapy
- Massage Therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Plant Therapy
- Sleep Hygiene
- Nutrition for Mental Health
- Worry, Anxiety and Panic
- Self-Compassion
- Stress Management
- Resiliency
- Burnout
- Sexual Health
- Guided Imagery
- Relaxation Training
- Mindfulness
UIC Rockford Insurance Requirements and Student Health Coverage
See more details regarding the following health insurance and CampusCare topics via the link below:
- Enrollment and Opting-out/Opting-in of CampusCare coverage: Opting-in needs to be added
- Certificate of Coverage
- Benefits Summary
- Dependent and Spousal Coverage
- Pharmacy Coverage including In-network Rockford Pharmacies, In-network Pharmacies outside of Rockford and Out-of-network Pharmacy reimbursement
- Urgent Care Services for CampusCare Members in Rockford
- Emergency Services Protocol for CampusCare Members in Rockford
- Women’s Health Services: Needs to be added
- Mental Health Services and CampusCare Members
- Dental Care
- Vision Care
- CampusCare Claims
- CampusCare FAQs
Additional Helps
See Other Health Services for information regarding billing inquiries, occupational exposures, immunizations and compliance, drug testing and COVID-19 information.
See the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens/Needlestick Protocol page and the Occupational Exposure Incident Report Form for additional resources.