MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Northern Michigan University’s WellBeing Center has opened just in time to welcome students back to campus. The 13,500 square foot facility is the new home for both The Health Center, its lab and pharmacy, and Counseling and Consultation services.
Its construction was a $6.5 million investment from NMU to create a central location for mental and physical health centers. Faculty at the center say there was a lot to move, but both centers are up and running and have already begun to see patients.
Angie Stebbins is the new Department Head for Counseling and Consultation Services. She says the wellbeing center will be a hub for physical and mental health, and it’s new location on Lincoln Avenue is prefect for visibility and accessibility.
Both offices shut down for a week in June to make the move from previous locations in Gries Hall and The Hedgcock Building. Dr. Christopher Kirkpatrick is The Medical Director for The Health Center, Pharmacy, and Lab. Dr. Kirkpatrick said the first few weeks have been going well in the new building.
“It was a really collaborative process.” Dr. Kirkpatrick said. “We worked for many months looking at different plans and some of the things that The NMU community had been asking for.”
The facility has a new drive-up window for prescription pick-up at the pharmacy. There are also many new additions to The University’s Counseling and Consultation services that expand telehealth opportunities, add online scheduling, and create separate spaces for post-grad students and Resident Advisors.
“Our goal is to collaborate with other departments.” Stebbins said. “So that we can really focus on the whole being of a person, not just mental health.”
These additions come as a part of a decision made in April to sign on to the Okanagan charter, a document intended to pledge universities to prioritizing the overall health and wellness of students, faculty and staff.
Stebbins said the updates and new location are a step in the right direction as The University continues to emphasize a holistic approach to wellbeing.
The Centers Pharmacy hours are 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. The Health Center hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, and the centers Lab closes an hour earlier at 3pm. Counseling and Consultation has new extended hours, from 8am until 7pm, Monday through Thursday.
NMU has more on its Wellbeing mission and The WellBeing Center on its website: NMU.edu/wellbeing
