Julie Novak, D.N.Sc., RN, CNNP, FAANP, associate dean for practice and engagement in the School of Nursing, is director of the Employee Health and Wellness Clinic and the Student Health Center. She also directs the UT Nursing Clinical Enterprise, which provides health care services in the community.
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By Rosanne Fohn

The School of Nursing’s Employee Health and Wellness Clinic (EHWC) and Student Health Center (SHC) will celebrate National Women’s Health Week May 9-12 by reserving certain hours for women’s appointments and screenings, and will offer additional services for women who work at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.

Special clinic hours
The two nurse-led and managed clinics, located in the School of Nursing Building on the Long Campus, will reserve 3 to 5 p.m. on those days for:

• Blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings
  
• Pap smears, testing for sexually transmitted infections and education of HPV prevention
  
• Referrals for mammograms, colonoscopies and bone density screenings
  
• Nutritional guidance and education
  
• Smoking cessation counseling and referrals
  
• Relaxation with an on-site masseuse

Women are encouraged to make appointments now to take advantage of the clinic hours set aside for women’s health. Most insurance plans are accepted, as well as Medicare.

Patient-centered care
The clinics are directed by Julie Novak, D.N.Sc., RN, CNNP, FAANP, associate dean for practice and engagement in the School of Nursing. “We offer high-quality, patient-centered care provided by advance-practice nurses from the School of Nursing. The Employee Health and Wellness Clinic also focuses on occupational health,” she said. In addition to the immunizations, acute care, and prevention and wellness services offered at both clinics, the EHWC also offers tuberculosis surveillance and screenings, respiratory medical evaluations, and assessments and treatment for minor occupational accidents, such as minor cuts, strains, sprains, falls, needle sticks and animal bites.

School of Nursing faculty nurse practitioners lead and manage the clinics. They have the authority to write prescriptions and are nationally certified in their specialties and licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing.

Nurse practitioners provide care
Nurse practitioners, who have the authority to write prescriptions, have advanced education, including master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates in such specialties as family, women’s health, pediatric, psychiatric mental health and acute care. They are nationally certified in their specialties and are licensed by the Texas board of Nursing. Two collaborating physicians are available for consultation and record review per Texas state law.

Nursing faculty members who provide care at the EHWC and the SHC include:

• Bridget Slattery M.S.N., RN, FNP-BC, the lead nurse practitioner
  
• Diana Beckmann-Mendez, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC
  
• Margaret Brackley, RN, Ph.D., PMHCNS-BC, FPMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
  
• Holly DiLeo, Ph.D., RN, FNP-BC
  
• Margit B. Gerardi, Ph.D., RN, WHNP
  
• Rita Hannah, M.S.N., RN, FNP-C
  
• Deborah Pallister, M.S.N., RN, FNP-C
  
• Ada Tapper, M.S.N., RN, FNP-C
  
• Candace Tull, M.S.N., RN, WHNP-BC

UT Nursing Clinical Enterprise
Dr. Novak also directs the UT Nursing Clinical Enterprise, which includes five community-based clinics/projects associated with Head Start and Early Head Start Programs offered through AVANCE San Antonio, Family Service Association and the Healy-Murphy Center, an alternative high school for at-risk teens, 50 percent of whom are pregnant or the parents of young children. Care at these clinics, too, are provided by School of Nursing faculty members.

To make an appointment, employees may call the EHWC at 210-567-2788. Students can call the SHC at 210-567-WELL (9355).

For more information, please visit the Employee Health and Wellness Clinic and Student Health Center websites.