USC Student Health is unique as one of a select group of college health providers to earn the coveted “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. The new designation for USC’s college health provider—USC Student Health—further underscores the university’s commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community. “Through our ongoing work to provide the best services and patient experience to USC students, we are proud to implement policies, training, education, and community outreach to ensure that all patients and clients feel safe, supported, and respected as they seek care,” says Dr. Sarah Van Orman, chief health officer for USC Student Health. “The lived experiences of LGBTQ+ community members may create hesitation or avoidance of medical care and mental health support, and as providers, we will continue to work to ensure that all our patients and clients feel empowered to seek the care they need and deserve.”…Continue Reading USC Student Health, part of Keck Medicine of USC, Earns Top Score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Healthcare Equality Index
Category: News
Spring Break Antigen Kits for Students
All USC students are encouraged to pick up a free COVID-19 antigen testing kit for use after spring break travel. You will receive an email from the USC Bookstores with a unique QR code for pickup, and when you return to campus from travel, use this kit within the first 24 hours of arriving back to your residence. If…Continue Reading Spring Break Antigen Kits for Students
COVID-19 Update for Campuses (2/18/22)
As announced on February 16, Los Angeles County removed restrictions for outdoor masking, based on improved metrics for hospitalizations and case fatalities. Outdoor masking is now also lifted for university-sponsored events. Masking is required indoors, on transportation, and at health care facilities (including testing sites). We are anticipating that metrics will continue to improve even more in one more week, so are planning for a lifting of some campus measures slated for March 1.
As of March 1, the university is modifying the requirements for surveillance testing of students, as the first of a phased approach to lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Progression of lifting restrictions at USC will occur simultaneously as revised LADPH Health Officer Orders are released, as required by law….Continue Reading COVID-19 Update for Campuses (2/18/22)
LA County Lifts Outdoor Masking Requirement
In alignment with the revised Public Health Officer order, masking is no longer required at outdoor events. University-sponsored outdoor events of all sizes no longer require masking for attendees. Masking continues to be required indoors in special environments including on USC transportation, and in all USC health care facilities including testing sites….Continue Reading LA County Lifts Outdoor Masking Requirement
Spring (Newsletter) is here!
Check out tips on healthy relationships, self-care, current programs, and taking care of your sexual health and well-being. And don’t forget, the Student Well-being index survey is coming to your inboxes. Tell us about your experience so we can improve the campus environment in ways to best support our students. Happy spring semester, Trojans!…Continue Reading Spring (Newsletter) is here!
Relief in sight as COVID-19 winter surge tapers at USC and in L.A. County
The COVID-19 omicron variant — which went from newly detected to widespread transmission seemingly overnight — is showing a decline, both in Los Angeles County and at USC. “We are relieved to have passed the peak of this winter surge,” said Sarah Van Orman, chief medical officer for USC Student Health. As the campus emptied for the Thanksgiving weekend, the pandemic took an unexpected turn on Nov. 26 when news of the fast-moving omicron variant broke across the globe. Over the next 11 days, the variant was confirmed in the U.S. with a first case discovered in California, then in Los Angeles County, and then confirmed at USC. “Adjusting to the unexpected is how we have to move forward,” Van Orman added. “At the beginning of this surge, the data modeling helped us understand the trajectory of cases, and plan for a reasonable response in terms of remote start, planning for isolation space, and other measures. As the virus evolves, our responses have to continue to be adaptive as well.”…Continue Reading Relief in sight as COVID-19 winter surge tapers at USC and in L.A. County
Spring Semester and Omicron
We look forward to seeing our students back on our campuses. Although this beginning of 2022 coincides with a challenging phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are marshaling all our resources to make this a successful semester. Each of you — our students, faculty, and staff — has shown tremendous strength and resilience, and we are grateful to be part of a wonderful community rich in friendship and kindness. Given the distinct challenges of the Omicron variant, USC will add four additional days of remote learning, and we now plan to resume in-person instruction Monday, January 24. Our plan – similar to that of other universities in Southern California – is based on both the available resources and unique challenges here in Los Angeles….Continue Reading Spring Semester and Omicron
Updated Masking Guidance for Campus Environments
Per revised guidelines for workplaces, individuals on USC campus premises in locations where masking is required are now required to wear medical grade masks, which at minimum are surgical masks and may also include higher grade respirator masks (N95, KN95, or KF94). Campus premises where PPE is required include indoor common spaces, public areas, classrooms, libraries, offices, and laboratories (unless higher grade PPE is already specified). Faculty, staff, and students in clinical settings should follow guidance for health care settings as determined by the facility. If you are an employee who has been directed by USC Environmental Health and Safety to wear (and previously fit-tested for) a respirator mask as PPE for occupational safety, continue to wear this level of protection….Continue Reading Updated Masking Guidance for Campus Environments
Reminders—Testing for Spring 2022
Peak access times for MySHR (to schedule testing) is expected to be highest on Monday, January 3 (and again on Monday, January 10 & Tuesday, January 18), from the morning through the afternoon. High access volume may result in system unavailability for some users. Accessing MySHR during the weekend, and evenings after 6 PM are recommended. If you have tested positive during Winter Break with results from outside of USC, please upload a photo or scan of the results into MySHR (in “upload documents”) and complete the contact tracing form. Uploading your positive result, or a photo of your home testing kit result, AND completing the contact tracing form will automatically exempt you from surveillance testing for 90 days once it is reviewed by our staff. This ensures your Trojan Check will permit you access to campus….Continue Reading Reminders—Testing for Spring 2022
Spring 2022 COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols
We hope you are enjoying a restorative Winter Break. As we prepare for the new year and the 2022 Spring semester, we are sharing some specific details regarding health and safety campus protocols around COVID-19. The University is requiring booster doses for all students, faculty, and staff. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. See previous important messages regarding test positivity in the surge operations message of Dec 23, 2021 and the Spring semester update of Dec. 24, 2021. Pre-travel: Students are required to test for COVID-19 prior to leaving their Winter Break location, it is recommended that you test 48 hours prior to leaving. Upload your results into MySHR. If you test positive, you should remain in your current location and isolate for ten (10) days; complete the contact tracing form in MySHR….Continue Reading Spring 2022 COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols