Grand Valley State University’s Campus Health Center reopened Monday, after having been closed all summer. Students can expect significant updates, as the center, formally partnered with Trinity Health, is now self-operated.
Under its new operating model, the center aims to improve care for students by expanding services, implementing a care management system, supportive insurance structure and increase of necessary medication available to students through the center. In their decision to split from Trinity, the center ultimately cited the need to “shape” their care, alongside providing more affordable and accessible options to students.
The Campus Health Center, located on the corner of Pierce St. and 42nd Ave., is open for full-service primary and urgent care visits Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with a 24-hour nurse triage line and virtual visits, available daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The new structure is expected to be in full force around Labor Day, with pharmaceutical resources and accepted insurance carriers set to be finalized in the coming days.
The center is currently in negotiations with a local pharmacy to grant on-campus access to essential medications for students. It is unknown at this time what pharmacy is undertaking agreements with the center. In addition, on-campus X-ray services are being looked into by the center, dependent on demand and logistics.
Steps are also being taken to coordinate with mental health services in order to promote mental wellness, sponsor educational campaigns and provide services that will improve mental wellbeing both on and off campus, so that all aspects of student health are prioritized.
As the center transitions into self-operation, there will be no cost at this time for enrolled students seeking select offerings, including virtual telemedicine services and allergy injections. The center is also working on implementing flexible payment plans and a voluntary prepaid health fee to “reduce financial barriers and improve access to care for all students.”
Insurance credentialing for the center is currently in progress, however, the center’s administrators plan to work with most major insurance carriers. Students can expect the center to accept the same insurance plans they did before the transition. Until insurance contracting is complete, there are a variety of payment options available for students.
Some students, such as Zulekha Alemayehu, a computer engineering major, hope these efforts make obtaining medications and healthcare easier, and benefit students who traditionally use off-campus pharmacies like Meijer.
“It would just be more convenient to have everything on campus, especially if you’re living on campus,” Alemayehu said. “Everything’s here.”
Fall 2025 hours may be altered following the center’s transition period.
The Campus Health Center was unable to provide comment for publication.
