Dear Student (and Parents):

Student Health Services and the Counseling Center congratulate you on your acceptance to Montreat College. Please read the following information. It is very important!

Early return of all forms (Physical, Medical History, Medical Authorization/Acknowledgement of Risk, and Immunizations) is strongly recommended. All forms must be returned by August 1. If you are unable to meet deadline for form return, you must contact Student Health Services to request deadline extension.

The state-mandated immunizations must be completed prior to registration for classes at Montreat. Please complete the required forms and return to: Student Health Services before August 1.

Remember: you will not be allowed to register for classes if your immunization record is incomplete.

• Please provide contact information: home and/or office phone number, cell phone, e-mail, MD phone, fax number (if applicable).

• DO NOT send originals — always send copies. DO NOT send forms to admissions.
  SEND THEM TO: STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES.

• Please check the status of your medical form! After you have requested information on the status of your form, you will receive an e-mail response, giving you details of information still needed per state and institutional requirements. Student Health Services’ e-mail address: nurse@montreat.edu. If you wish, you may leave a message for Student Health Services at 828-669-8011, extension 3536. You may mail your forms, or you may fax them to 828-669-5511 at the Wellness Center.

• The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all incoming freshmen be aware of the risk of meningococcal disease. In order to make an informed decision about meningococcal vaccination, read and sign the last page of the Health History before returning the completed History to Student Health Services. You may learn more about meningitis and the vaccination by visiting the Web sites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/ACIP-list.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo and the American College Health Association: http://www.acha.org. Student Health Services recommends all incoming freshmen receive the meningococcal vaccination through your local doctor or health department prior to arrival at Montreat College.

Helpful hints for filling out the health forms (complete in black ink and print info.):

1. Read the immunization instructions---they specify exactly what immunizations you will be required to have before you may move into a dorm.
2. Have the health care professional sign, date, and provide his/her address on the physical form.
3. Have the health care professional sign and date the immunization form. (Both the physical and the immunization form must be signed by a licensed health professional.)
4. Complete the personal medical history and sign (and date) it. Students under 18 must also have their parent/guardian sign the medical history.

Hints on finding the immunizations: grade school records, high school transcripts, personal physician records, local health department. Send photocopies, not originals!

Students planning to come to Montreat need to make sure they meet the health requirements for physical exams and immunizaitons required by state law.  If you've been accepted and plan to come, please begin the process of completing these requirements as soon as possible to avoid delay in your matriculation.

All the requirements and all the forms you need are here on this site.

Scheduling a Physical

Student Health Services recommends scheduling a physical early in the admission process in order to ensure that the physical be completed in a timely manner and any follow-up be completed prior to arrival on campus.

First Aid Kit 

We encourage students to bring medical supplies with them. A standard first aid kit is helpful as well as a copy of medical insurance information. Suggestions for inclusion in the first aid kit:

a. Advil or Aleve—fever/pain/anti-inflammatory
b. Benadryl—antihistamine
c. Pepto-Bismol—nausea and vomiting
d. Sudafed or Afrid—nasal decongestant
e. Tums or Maalox—antacid
f. Tylenol—fever/pain
g. 1% hydrocortisone cream—anti-inflammatory
h. Band-aids
i. Chap Stick
j. Cough drops and throat lozenges
k. Hydrogen peroxide—wound cleaning
l. Triple antibiotic ointment
m. Ice pack
n. Thermometer (strongly recommended)
o. Tweezers—splinter removal

Status of Your Health Forms

Do you have questions about your health form: “Has my health form been cleared?” or “Am I missing any immunizations?” or “I don’t understand what is needed…”  Please e-mail us at nurse@montreat.edu.

Meningococcal Information

Certain college students are at increased risk for meningococcal disease, a potentially fatal bacterial infection commonly referred to as meningitis. College freshmen, particularly those living in residence halls, are at a modestly increased risk for meningococcal disease compared with persons the same age that are not attending college.

• What is meningococcal meningitis? Meningitis is rare. But when it strikes, this potentially fatal bacterial disease can lead to swelling of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal column as well as severe and permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb amputation, and even death.

• How is it spread? Meningococcal meningitis is spread through the air via respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person. This can include coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing items like utensils, cigarettes, and drinking glasses.

• What are the symptoms? Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis often resemble the flu and can include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and confusion.

• Who is at risk? Certain college students, particularly freshmen who live in residence halls, have been found to have an increased risk for meningococcal meningitis. Other undergraduates can also consider vaccination to reduce their risk for the disease.

• Can meningitis be prevented? Yes. A safe and effective vaccine is available to protect against four of the five most common strains of the disease. The vaccine provides protection for approximately three to five years. As with any vaccine, vaccination against meningitis may not protect 100 percent of all susceptible individuals.