KEARNEY – Platte Valley Medical Clinic, a division of Kearney Regional Medical Center, and UNK Student Health and Counseling are partnering to offer expanded access to health services on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus.
Beginning Aug. 24, an advanced practice provider from Platte Valley Medical Clinic will be available four days a week for student appointments. UNK previously scheduled providers on a part-time basis.
“Having access to a full-time provider is important because it will offer our students improved continuity of care and better meet their needs,” said Wendy Schardt, director of UNK Student Health and Counseling. “We see great value in having a consistent medical provider in our clinic who students can trust and count on during these uncertain times.”
UNK Student Health is a campus health clinic that offers medical care to students. The clinic’s services include health screenings, physicals, vaccinations and medications, basic laboratory services and more. Platte Valley Medical Clinic providers will also be able to refer students to a higher level of care at Kearney Regional Medical Center.
“This partnership supports our commitment to improving access to essential care within the communities we serve,” said Tom McLeod, administrator of clinic and provider services for Kearney Regional Medical Center.
Certified physician assistant Michelle Fletcher will be the on-campus provider when UNK’s fall semester begins. Kaitlyn Beranek, also a certified physician assistant, will take over in November when she returns from maternity leave.
Fletcher earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is currently practicing as a family medicine physician assistant.
Beranek completed her undergraduate degree at UNK and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Union College. She is currently practicing as an internal medicine physician assistant.
Both providers are certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Located in the Memorial Student Affairs Building, Room 184, UNK Student Health is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Walk-in visits aren’t allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but students can schedule an appointment by calling 308-865-8218 or completing the online form.
UNK Student Health and Counseling also offers telehealth visits as a convenient option for primary care and mental health services.
The on-campus clinic is part of a Public Health Center that will provide testing for symptomatic students and employees, track health information and conduct contact tracing this fall as part of UNK’s plan to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“The new partnership with Platte Valley Medical Clinic bolsters our COVID-19 response plan because we have a predictable provider who will be there for students,” Schardt said.
