Be prepared to manage your health away from home! Talk with your parents about your medical history and health insurance before you leave for school.
Be sure to bring all insurance and prescription plan information with you to school. If you do become ill when you are at school in Punxsutawney, here are the health services available in the area:
Emergency Medical Care
- Fully staffed emergency department, open 24/7
- Easy Access: Located less than three miles from the IUP at Punxsutawney campus and the Academy of Culinary Arts
Ambulance Service
- Jefferson County Ambulance service will transport any student to the hospital from any location in Punxsutawney. Call 911 any time of the day or night.
- No out-of-pocket expenses to the student or family for Jefferson County Ambulance service. (The university has a contract with this ambulance company to provide service; insurance may be asked to supplement the cost of the transportation.)
Non-Emergency Medical Care
- Many private physician offices in the Punxsutawney area will see students.
- Private physicians operate either with a health insurance network or by personal payment.
- Primary Health Network is a federally-funded health care program allowing services to be offered at a sliding fee scale. Patients are accepted regardless of their insurance or financial status. To learn more, visit Primary Health Network (select Jefferson County) or call 814-938-3310.
- The Punxsy QCare is a walk-in clinic through Penn Highlands Health Care. The facility is located at 21911 Route 119, Punxsutawney, PA, across from the Walmart Plaza. The hours of operation are Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. For more information, call 814-938-2602.
- Adagio Health Services offers low-cost or free services through Punxsy OB/Gyn, located at 81 Hillcrest Drive, Suite 2200, Punxsutawney, PA. Call 814-938-1451 for more information.
- Rapid Care is a walk-in clinic available at the Punxsutawney Area Hospital Campus, located at 81 Hillcrest Drive, Punxsutawney, PA. No appointment is necessary. Hours available are: Monday–Saturday 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. and Sundays 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Call 814-938-2064 for more information. Video visits also available.
Find a Doctor
Here are two directories to help you find local health care providers:
- Punxsutawney Area Hospital Physician Directory
- You may find additional providers in the local telephone book.
Additional Medical Services
Dentists, pharmacies, family planning, mental health, chiropractic, and other services are available in town.
Punxsutawney Counseling Center is located at the hospital at 81 Hillcrest Dr, Punxsutawney, PA. Enter through the furthest entrance of the building. For more information, call 814-938-1830.
Punxsutawney also has a Pennsylvania Department of Health office and a Community Action office.
Prescription Medicines
Prescription medicines can be obtained by using local pharmacies:
Rite Aid
201 West Mahoning Street
Punxsutawney, PA 15767-1918
814-938-9161
Wal-Mart Supercenter
21920 Route 119
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
814-938-3500
Students can have over-the-counter medicines and cough and cold supplies in their room in case of minor illness and can have prescription meds in their possession with the appropriate labeling.
Insurance
- All students are encouraged to have personal health insurance for off-campus medical services such as doctor visits, lab work, x-rays, prescriptions, and emergency room visits.
- Check with your insurance provider to see if the services you need are covered away from home.
- Insurance carriers can give lists of local providers that participate in your network. Sometimes they can give an "out of network" card to access healthcare when away from home.
- Information about student health insurance and other health-related information can be found on the IUP Health Service website.
Health Service on the Indiana Campus
The IUP Indiana campus operates a Health Service clinic for minor illnesses and injuries. It is staffed by doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses who specialize in caring for college students.
- Open for walk-in care Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Students from the Punxsutawney campus are eligible to be seen.
- No money is needed at the time of the visit; however, charges are posted to the student's IUP account.
- No insurance is accepted at the campus Health Service.
Do you need additional assistance?
Contact the IUP Punxsutawney Administration Office or the Culinary Admissions office. We will help you with your questions and find resources for services not covered here.