Brenna Callahan – Health Services

COVID-19

Brenna Callahan — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 15:04:17 +0000

Symptomatic Testing

Students who have symptoms of COVID-19 can call or email Health Services to set up an appointment with a nurse. Health Services nurses will assess your symptoms and provide testing and treatment as clinically indicated. This may include testing for illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, strep, and mono etc. While you are sick, you should wear your mask, limit your contacts, practice social distancing and good hand hygiene. Avoid spending time around others and remain in your room as much as possible.

If You Test Positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, take the following steps:

If it was an at-home test, email healthservices@bates.edu with documentation of your positive test.
- If the test was an at-home test, please include (1) a photo of the test, (2) the type of test, (3) the date and time of your test.
Email diningfood@groups.bates.edu and let them know you need grab and go meals. Do not eat meals in Commons, instead follow instructions provided by Dining Services.

Note: If you email after business hours, �ֲ��ý Health Services will contact you with further information on the next business day – you will not receive any additional information if you test positive for COVID-19 after hours or on weekends until business hours. Please be patient and review the recommendations below.

You can read more about the information you will receive when �ֲ��ý Health Services opens below.

Housing Policy for Students Diagnosed with COVID-19

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will remain in their existing room assignment and adhere to guidance provided by �ֲ��ý Health Services. It is important to note, students will be directed to stay in their existing room assignment even if they live in a multiple-occupancy room with roommates.

Support Available for Students Diagnosed with COVID-19

Students can access medical care at �ֲ��ý Health Services. Telehealth appointments can be made by calling 207-786-6199. BHS is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Outside of business hours, students can contact the CMMC provider on call by calling BHS at 207-786-6199 and following the voicemail prompts.

For more urgent medical needs, students can access medical care at the CMMC Emergency Department at 300 Main Street in Lewiston or a local urgent care facility.

More information about accessing care when Health Services is closed can be found here.

Students can reach out to Health Services at healthservices@bates.edu for non-emergency health care questions and questions about navigating resources on campus, including resources to support them academically while recovering from illness.

All students who have tested positive for COVID-19 will have access to Grab and Go meals from Commons.

For any questions or support needs, students can reach out to Associate Director of Health Services for Student Support, Brenna Callahan, by emailing healthservices@bates.edu.

Information from Health Services After a Positive COVID-19

Students who report a positive COVID-19 test result to Health Services will receive this information.

Housing: You will remain in your current housing assignment.

Masking Recommendation: �ֲ��ý Health Services recommends masking in all indoor locations while you have a fever or have respiratory symptoms. Health Services recommends continuing this for 5 days after your symptoms have improved overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone for 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication. Please note, you do not need to wear a mask while sleeping.

Contacts and Movement about Campus: Do your best to limit campus contacts while you are experiencing respiratory symptoms or a fever.

Dining: You will receive an email from Dining Services providing you access to Grab and Go meals while you are ill. You will be required to access Grab and Go meals from Commons for 5 days after your positive test, then will be able to access Grab and Go meals for an additional 5 days if needed.

Classes: A �ֲ��ýReach flag will be raised on your behalf to inform your faculty and advisors that you are ill and may need support in navigating your classes. You should be in direct communication with your professors to make arrangements. You can reach out to Brenna for support in navigating your academic needs if you require.

Returning to Normal Activities: �ֲ��ý Health Services recommends returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone for 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication.

Support: Please reach out to Brenna Callahan if you have any questions or need support. You can reach her by emailing healthservices@bates.edu.

Notice Your Symptoms

If you experience increased symptoms, including:

Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face

Seek Access to Medical Care Immediately:

Call BHS at 207-786-6199 to speak with a nurse.

Outside of business hours, students can contact the CMMC provider on call by calling BHS at 207-786-6199 and following the voicemail prompts.

For more urgent medical needs, students can access medical care at the CMMC Emergency Department at 300 Main Street in Lewiston or a local urgent care facility.

For non-urgent medical questions or needs, all students can email �ֲ��ý Health Services at healthservices@bates.edu.

In the case of an emergency, call (207) 786-6111 or (207) 786-6254 – this will connect you to Campus Safety.

Summer 2022 Public Health Policies Frequently Asked Questions

Brenna Callahan — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:30:00 +0000

Updated on June 21, 2022

Maintaining the health and safety of the �ֲ��ý community remains the top priority for the Summer 2022.

Our public health policy decisions will continue to be informed by science and the guidance from public health experts at the Mayo Clinic, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Maine CDC.

Please keep in mind that these policies may shift based on the public health landscape and guidance from experts.

What is the Public Health Agreement?

All students were required to read and electronically sign the Student Public Health Agreement documents prior to returning to campus. The full Student Public Health Agreement can be found here.

What is the COVID-19 vaccination requirement?

All students are required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

What are the masking requirements?

Effective June 13, masks are optional in indoor and outdoor campus spaces for all students. Some members of our community may choose to wear a mask at any time based on their own level of comfort, personal medical status, family medical status, or personal risk.

What do I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

Wear your mask, limit your contacts, practice social distancing and good hand hygiene. Avoid spending time around others and remain in your room as much as possible.
Call BHS on the next business day for consultation with a nurse.

For COVID-19 testing when BHS is closed:
- Schedule an appointment at , , or .
- Have a friend pick-up rapid BinaxNow tests in stock at Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart.
- Over the summer, students living on campus can access medical care at the at 76 High Street in Lewiston. Appointments can be made by calling 207-795-2800.

What will COVID-19 testing look like?

While the �ֲ��ý Health Services office will be closed during the summer, the partnership between CMMC and BHS is an essential connection to high-quality medical care for students.

Students living on campus can access medical care at the at 76 High Street in Lewiston. Appointments can be made by calling 207-795-2800. Appointments can be made for ongoing medical needs or acute care. Your insurance will be billed for medical care visits.

COVID-19 testing can also be accessed at local urgent care facilities, such as Maine Urgent Care at 685 Sabattus Street in Lewiston, or by scheduling an appointment at . Students can also purchase rapid BinaxNow tests in stock at Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart.

What do I do if I test positive for COVID-19 on an at-home test?

If you test positive for COVID-19 on an at-home test, take the following steps:

Stay in your summer housing assignment and begin masking in all communal spaces (i.e. restrooms and kitchens). This includes if you live in a multiple occupancy room. Limit contacts with others.
Email healthservices@bates.edu and diningfood@groups.bates.edu with documentation of your positive test.
- If the test was an at-home test, please include (1) a photo of the test, (2) the type of test, (3) test expiration date, (4) the date and time of your test, (5) the number of minutes it took for the test to return a positive result, and (6) the best phone number to reach you.
Do not eat meals in Commons, instead follow instructions provided by Dining Services about accessing meals.

Note: If you email after business hours, �ֲ��ý Health Services will contact you with further illness restriction information on the next business day – you will not receive any additional information if you test positive for COVID-19 after hours or on weekends until business hours. Please be patient and remain in your summer housing assignment.

What is the housing policy for students diagnosed with COVID-19?

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will follow illness restriction protocols and remain in their existing room assignment and adhere strictly to all public health policies. It is important to note, that students will be directed to stay in their existing room assignment even if they live in a multiple-occupancy room with roommates. Students will also have the option to return home via car for the duration of their restriction period.

Termination of restriction period will occur after five 24-hour periods. Students should continue to limit contacts and mask in public places until the resolution of their symptoms.

What support is available for students diagnosed with COVID-19?

Students living on campus can access medical care at the (FMR) at 76 High Street in Lewiston. Telehealth appointments can be made by calling 207-795-2800. The FMR is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Your insurance will be billed for medical care visits.

Outside of business hours, students can contact the CMMC provider on call by calling BHS at 207-786-6199 or FMR at 207-795-2800 and following the voicemail prompts.

For more urgent medical needs, students can access medical care at the CMMC Emergency Department at 300 Main Street in Lewiston or Maine Urgent Care at 685 Sabattus Street in Lewiston.

More information about accessing care when Health Services is closed can be found here.

All students following restriction protocols will have access to Grab and Go meals from Commons.

If I test positive for COVID-19, may I return home for the duration of my restriction period?

Students who test positive for COVID-19 and can safely return home for the duration of their restriction period, should do so.

What information do I receive when I report a positive COVID-19 test?

Students who report a positive COVID-19 test result to Health Services will receive this information during the next business day.

Housing: You will remain in your current housing assignment.

If you wish to return home for your 5 day restriction period: Students who would prefer to return home for the duration of their illness are able to do so. While traveling home, you should mask in all public locations and do your best to minimize contact with others.

Masking Requirement: You are required to mask for 10 days from your date of positive test in all indoor locations including residence halls and student spaces.

Contacts and Movement about Campus: You are strongly encouraged to remain in your room as much as possible. Do your best to limit campus contacts over the next 5 days.

Dining: You will receive information about accessing Grab and Go meals from Commons for 10 days since your positive test.

Failure to Comply: Students are required to follow all public health directives related to testing, quarantining, and isolation, detailed in the Public Health Agreement.

Ending Restriction Protocols: You may end all restriction protocols on the beginning of day 6 since your positive test. If you still feel unusually ill on day 6, please contact Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency at 76 High Street in Lewiston. Appointments can be made by calling 207-795-2800.

Support: Please reach out to Brenna Callahan if you have any questions or need support. You can reach her by emailing healthservices@bates.edu.

Notice Your Symptoms

If you experience increased symptoms, including:

Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face

Seek Access to Medical Care Immediately:

Students living on campus can access medical care at the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency at 76 High Street in Lewiston. Appointments can be made by calling 207-795-2800. Your insurance will be billed for medical care visits.

Outside of business hours, students can contact the CMMC provider on call by calling BHS at 207-786-6199 or FMR at 207-795-2800 and following the voicemail prompts.

For more urgent medical needs, students can access medical care at the CMMC Emergency Department at 300 Main Street in Lewiston or Maine Urgent Care at 685 Sabattus Street in Lewiston.

For non-urgent medical questions or needs, all students can email �ֲ��ý Health Services at healthservices@bates.edu. The inbox will be monitored periodically throughout the summer.
In the case of an emergency, call (207) 786-6111 or (207) 786-6254 – this will connect you to Campus Safety.

Will non-�ֲ��ý guests be allowed to enter buildings on campus?

Academic and administrative departments may host guests and visitors in the college’s buildings. However, in order to be admitted to the venue, guests must show proof of being fully vaccinated and boosted at the door (digital image or hard copy of vaccine card, indicating final vaccination completed at least 14 days prior) or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR, rapid antigen, or at-home) within the previous 48 hours. The event host must provide a staff member to check for proof of vaccination for non-�ֲ��ý guests. Guests unable to provide proof of being fully vaccinated and boosted or a negative test within the previous 48 hours will not be permitted to enter the venue.

Attendance at student social events on campus remains limited to �ֲ��ý students, faculty, and staff. Vendors, third-party contractors, and other services that have been hired by �ֲ��ý College to provide essential services at these events are the only exceptions to this policy.

Will �ֲ��ý faculty and staff be allowed in student residences during the semester?

Only �ֲ��ý faculty and staff required to provide services in student residences are allowed in residence halls at this time.

What is the policy around singing and woodwind instruments?

Students who received a medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine may not share or play musical equipment that touches their eyes or mouth on campus, including woodwind instruments. Students who received a medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine may participate in chorus, singing, and musical theater activities as long as they remain masked at all times and are in compliance with testing requirements.

Where do I direct questions?

Should you have any general questions, please email studentaffairs@bates.edu, and you will be connected to the right person to assist you.

Please direct questions related to testing positive for COVID-19 or about restriction policies to Brenna Callahan, Student Health Support & Outreach Specialist, at healthservices@bates.edu.

Please direct questions related to a leave of absence to Lisa Hardej, Associate Dean of Students, at lhardej@bates.edu.

Preparing to come to campus

Brenna Callahan — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 20:57:37 +0000

Ahead of your arrival to campus, you can there are some things you can do to be best prepared for your arrival, for staying healthy and safe when on campus, and for the possibility of contracting COVID-19.

For information about preparing for travel and arrival, see What to do when preparing to return for fall semester.

Some other suggestions for getting ready to come to campus are:

Important conversations: Before returning to campus, we strongly encourage you to have a conversation with your parents or family members about how you will manage a quarantine or illness, including sharing medical information, decision-making and general expectations. You should also have a similar conversation with your roommate(s) now to discuss how you will manage a quarantine or illness and agree as a team that you will do your best to stay healthy prior to your arrival.
Pack a “go bag”: If you have to move to isolation housing in the event you test positive, you will only have 60 minutes to leave your room. We recommend packing a back that includes anything you’ll need with you for the 10 days you’ll be out of your room. Prepare a list of additional items you’ll want to remember to pack.

Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Brenna Callahan — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 17:43:40 +0000

What is the �ֲ��ý College policy about health insurance coverage?

�ֲ��ý College requires that all students have active, comprehensive health insurance coverage while enrolled, including coverage for both emergency and non-emergency care, to ensure that students have coverage for local care to meet their health care needs while at campus.

Why does �ֲ��ý College require students to have comprehensive and non-emergency health insurance?

Students are required to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to both help minimize catastrophic financial risk for students in the event of a health issue and to increase students’ access to health care during their time at �ֲ��ý.

The College partners with Central Maine Medical Center to provide health care on campus at �ֲ��ý Health Services, and bills insurance for services utilized, rather than charge a campus health fee. Therefore, to utilize services on campus you must have and provide proof of health insurance that covers primary care while you’re on campus.

Will my insurance cover the services provided at �ֲ��ý Health Services?

If you have insurance through your family policy, you must let the company know you are at �ֲ��ý College and determine how to handle all insurance claims while at �ֲ��ý. Health Services bills your health insurance like your primary care provider. If your health insurance plan will not cover the services provided at �ֲ��ý Health Services, like out-of-region HMO plans, then students will have the opportunity to enroll in the �ֲ��ý Student Health Insurance Plan, in order to provide coverage to medical care while at �ֲ��ý.

Health Services, like most healthcare clinics will be unable to process your claim, handle your bills, or answer any questions about your individual policy – you must work with your health insurance company directly.

In some instances, your insurance policy may require a referral to see a specialist; in this case our staff will contact your Primary Care Provider to expedite the referral. Pre-approval is often needed for x-rays, lab tests, and hospitalizations. If you have purchased the �ֲ��ý College policy, the Patient Services Representative and the specialist at Cross Insurance Agency can help you with certain questions you may have. You are still responsible for understanding your policy and following the needed procedures and claim form requirements.

The �ֲ��ý Student Health Insurance Plan Enroll – Waive Process

Annually, all students must enroll or waive health insurance coverage under the �ֲ��ý Student Health Insurance Plan. The �ֲ��ý Student Health Insurance Plan is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (the ACA). In order to waive the �ֲ��ý SHIP, students must have comprehensive health insurance coverage that is considered to be “comparable coverage.”

The Enroll – Waive process for students returning for the fall semester opens in June and closes on August 27, 2021. The Health Insurance Enroll – Waive process is accessed through Garnet Gateway and administered by the Wellfleet Insurance Group. To complete this process, click on the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) under the To-Do List on Garnet Gateway. This process is completed annually during the summer.

Students will be directed to and must input insurance information into the website of the Wellfleet Insurance Group, which administers the �ֲ��ý College SHIP, which will determine if the student’s plan is sufficient to waive enrollment in the SHIP.

Students who do not complete the Enroll-Waive process by the appropriate date listed above will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP and charged the premium.

International students cannot decline coverage unless they are insured under a U.S. plan.

Questions about the Enroll-Waive process can be directed to Douglas Ginevan at dginevan@bates.edu

What is the cost of the SHIP?

The 2021-2022 cost of coverage through the SHIP for the full 12 months is $1,996. For students returning to campus for the first time for the Winter semester and enrolling in the SHIP in January, the premium is $1,236.

Students who elect the �ֲ��ý SHIP or are required to enroll in the plan will be billed the cost of the SHIP in September (students returning for the fall semester) or January (students returning for the winter semester.) Students receiving need-based financial aid from �ֲ��ý may qualify for a full or partial grant subsidy, depending on their �ֲ��ý-calculated family contribution, to help offset this cost.

What qualifies as “comparable health care coverage”?

Comparable coverage is a medical plan from a company based in the United States that provides health insurance benefits without lifetime maximums or pre-existing condition limitations. International students cannot decline coverage unless they are insured under a U.S. plan.

Generally, comparable coverage complies with the Affordable Care Act and provides equivalent or increased benefits than those provided under the �ֲ��ý SHIP.

Comparable coverage must include coverage for:

in-network health care providers who are located in Maine;
ambulatory care (visits to doctors and other healthcare professionals, outpatient hospital care you get without being admitted);
emergency care;
hospitalization (such as surgery and overnight stays);
pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth);
mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy);
prescription drugs (including brand-name drugs and specialty drugs);
rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills);
laboratory services; and
preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management.

Additionally, the annual out-of-pocket limit cannot be more than $8,550 for an individual or $17,100 for a family.

What does not count as “comparable health care coverage”?

There are many types of plans and coverages that are not considered comparable coverage. While many of these plans provide emergency coverage worldwide, they do not cover non-emergency care while you are outside of their service area. Below are examples of plan that are not considered comparable coverage:

out of state Medicaid plans;
regional HMO plans;
travel insurance plans;
health plans that only cover specific occurrences, such as accidents or certain illnesses;
health plans that only provide emergency services;
international plans (includes travel coverage from your home country);
health care sharing plans;
plans from insurance companies not located within the United States; and
prescription discount plans (this is not insurance).

Chris Decker

Brenna Callahan — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 20:47:29 +0000

Chris Decker is from St. Louis Park, MN and attended medical school at Touro University California. Growing up, he was always interested in health and wellness. His parents are both pharmacists and his father does acupuncture, and because of them, he became interested in health and well-being from a holistic, evidence-based approach. In college, at the University of Minnesota, he studies biochemistry, but also had the opportunity to study abroad in China to learn Chinese for a year. He then spent some time traveling, coaching high school soccer, and volunteering, before deciding to pursue a career in Osteopathy due to its holistic philosophy and hands on approach. Outside of medicine, Chris enjoys being active, whether playing soccer, Frisbee, or going on a hike and spending time with his wife and his hedgehog, named Howard.

Jennifer D Hanson

Brenna Callahan — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:46:30 +0000

Family Physician

Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from Vassar College, a Master of Arts in Teacher from Tufts University, and a Medical Degree at University of Vermont College of Medicine. She came to medicine after a number of years teaching English in both boarding and day school settings. Jennifer became a Licensed Midwife in Vermont with a small homebirth practice in her local community, before deciding to expand her scope of practice to work across the age spectrum and attending medical school.

Outside of medicine her interests range from hiking and snowshoeing, to a capella and shape note singing, to cooking and quilting.