Sophia Cortez 
The UT Health RGV Student Health clinics provide free medical services for students on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses, offering professional care to support their health and well-being.
The Edinburg clinic is in the Student Health Center, while the Brownsville clinic relocated to the Research Office Building.
Amaro Salinas, assistant director for Health Services, said the clinic functions similar to a regular doctor’s office with the key difference being it is designed solely for students.
“The difference there is that the students make their own appointments,” Salinas said. “We also help and guide [students] through the health care world.”
All-enrolled students have access to the services, and the cost of appointments is already included in their student fees. Faculty and staff receive care from a separate employee health division in Edinburg.
Students can access services by calling ahead to schedule an appointment or by walking in if space is available. Nurse visits are also available for students who are unclear if they should see a provider.
Salinas said another priority is confidentiality.
“It’s very important that they know all the information is confidential, it cannot be shared,” he said.
The assistant director said the clinics also work with local hospitals and specialists to ensure students receive the care they require.
“Our staff will set up the appointment for the students,” Salinas said. “We try for the student not to leave our clinic before we can get the appointment, that way, they take that information with them as well.”
He added grant funding allows qualified students to receive contraceptive implants and IUDs for free.
Student Health Services also offers specialized women’s wellness care.
Amanda Rodriguez, a family nurse practitioner, explained the services available for women in the clinic such as pap smears, breast exams, and sexually transmitted infection testing and prevention.
“We can go through menstrual cycles, irregular cycles and heavy bleeding,” Rodriguez said. “We also offer a full range of birth control, hormonal birth control, long-acting birth control at the clinic.”
The nurse practitioner said all women enrolled get coverage for reversible contraceptives and IUDs, even if they do not have medical insurance.
Women who do not have medical insurance have the option to opt for a grant that can cover the use of these services, according to Rodriguez.
She also highlighted the preventative care recommended for women’s wellness.
“I think it’s really important for females to know that cervical cancer screening with a pap smear begins at age 21,” Rodriguez said. “So, they should come and talk to us.”
For more information, visit the UT Health RGV Student Health Services website.
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