Dear Barnard Students,
Welcome back to campus and to the spring semester. My name is Dr. Sarah Ann Anderson-Burnett, and I am the Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellness. I hope you had time over the break to rest and recharge. As you return to classes and campus life, our Health and Wellness team is here to support your physical and mental well-being.
Barnard Health and Wellness offers a range of confidential services to support you. Primary Care Health Service (PCHS) provides medical care, including routine visits, urgent concerns, sexual and reproductive health services, immunizations, and lab testing. To schedule an appointment, students should call PCHS directly (212-854-2091), which allows our team to help connect you with the right care as quickly as possible. We are located on the basement level of BrooksHall.
The Rosemary Furman Counseling Center, located on the first floor of Hewitt Hall, offers confidential mental health support, including individual counseling, group therapy, and urgent same-day consultations. If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or just need someone to talk to, Furman clinicians are available to help. To schedule an appointment or request a consultation, students should call the Counseling Center directly (212-854-2092). After-hours mental health support remains available through ProtoCall by calling our office number.
Both PCHS and the Furman Counseling Center are confidential services. This means your visits and care are private, and information is not shared with parents or guardians without your permission, except in very limited situations required by law to protect safety.
We also want to be transparent about insurance. Barnard does not bill insurance for PCHS office visits, but insurance may be billed for certain tests or procedures, which can occasionally generate an EOB with limited information. Services at the Furman Counseling Center are not billed to insurance. If you are covered under a parent or guardian’s insurance plan, Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements may sometimes be sent to the policyholder. Our teams will review confidentiality and billing options with you before care is provided, and you are always encouraged to ask questions.
As the semester begins, please be aware that influenza activity remains elevated across New York City. If you are feeling sick, help protect yourself and others by:
| • | | Wearing a mask if symptomatic |
| • | | Washing your hands frequently |
| • | | Testing if you feel unwell |
| • | | Staying home when possible |
| • | | Get the latest influenza vaccine (available at PCHS and most major pharmacies) |
COVID and flu tests are available for purchase in the health vending machine on the first floor of Brooks Hall, along with other over-the-counter medications and health supplies.
If you are feeling ill, please contact Primary Care Health Service to schedule an appointment. If symptoms occur after hours (including weekends), nearby urgent care centers are available, and our after-hours team can help guide you by calling 212-854-2091.
The spring semester can bring both excitement and challenges. Whether you are navigating stress, relationships, academics, or health concerns, you do not have to do it alone. Reaching out early and staying connected to care are important steps in taking care of yourself.
We are glad to welcome you back and look forward to supporting you this semester. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Health and Wellness team if you need assistance.
Warm regards,
Sarah Ann Anderson-Burnett, MD, PhD, FAAP
Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellness
Director of Health Services and Quality Improvement
Barnard College
