This fall, Stanford University will transition Vaden Medical Services and Mental Health Services to operate as a Stanford Health Care Clinic.
The alignment with Stanford Health Care (SHC) will enhance patient care access and streamline care, broadening pathways for students to receive timely, high-quality, and coordinated care across Stanford Medicine.
In addition to Primary Care, Vaden’s three Mental Health sections, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Confidential Support Team (CST), and Weiland Health Initiative will be transitioning to become SHC clinics. Substance Use Programs Education & Resources (SUPER), and Well-Being, two other offices currently serving students within the Vaden portfolio, will remain university-led.
This new model will ensure students continue to receive comprehensive support for their primary and complex care needs across the care continuum with enhanced care coordination to support receiving the right care, at the right time, with the right clinician, in the right setting.
Student-centered care
For many students, Vaden Health Services, located on Campus Drive, is the first stop for the diagnosis and treatment of illness, injury, and ongoing conditions. Additionally, students may visit Vaden for counseling and wellness resources, pharmacy, physical therapy, and a variety of other services.
The clinic will close at noon on Friday, Aug. 28, to prepare for the upcoming transition and reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 1, under SHC operations. Students may experience changes intended to enhance their patient experience, such as added services or acceptance of insurance other than Cardinal Care. Students will still see the same clinicians and staff, and the clinic will remain dedicated to student-centered care that is responsive to students’ specific needs.
The two primary services currently provided by Vaden – primary care and mental health care – will continue to support the 18,000 students they serve. The location and hours of operation of the clinic will not change.
“The care offered at the center will continue to be strongly student-centered and responsive to the specific needs of our students,” Vice Provost for Student Affairs Michele Rasmussen said.
Notable changes
One notable update for students will be the transition from Point and Click (commonly known as the Vaden Patient Portal) to Stanford Health Care’s MyHealth platform. MyHealth provides a modern and connected experience, giving students convenient access to their health information in one place through the website or mobile app. Students will be able to schedule appointments, view test results, message their care team, manage prescriptions, and access important health information anytime, anywhere.
Students will receive an email or text message invitation with instructions to activate their account or additional information on how to access their existing account. Additional details about the transition and account setup will be shared in the coming months.
As part of the transition to SHC, the Campus Health Service Fee will continue to cover the same care, including primary care visits and mental health counseling. Certain services, such as immunizations, most laboratory work, psychiatric medication management, optometry, physical therapy through MORE Physical Therapy, and Walgreens at Vaden offerings will continue requiring insurance coverage either through Cardinal Care or another provider.
The transition will not change students’ access to programs like Timely Care, which provides 24/7 virtual care.
As an added benefit of the transition, SHC will offer e-consults, which enable clinicians at the clinic to seek guidance from Stanford Medicine specialists for low-acuity cases, minimizing how often students have to travel to an off-site clinic.
“Overall, this transition represents an enhancement to the delivery of health services to Stanford students, and will ensure that they receive comprehensive, efficient, and accessible health care for years to come,” said Ruch Kumbhani, senior vice president of service lines and chief ambulatory care officer.
