Various colorful prints, leaves and lights hanging from the ceiling of a gallery space.

Aimée Beaubien, Twist Affix, 2017, cut-up inkjet prints, vintage c-prints, paracord, carabiners, miniature clothespins, oscillating fan, grow lights on fabric cord with dried gomphrena, eucalyptus, lemons, limes, and fallen acorns

Wellness Center

Health Services

Health Services

The mission of Health Services is to provide quality healthcare to SAIC students and to encourage students to focus on their physical and emotional well-being. Health Services is staffed by board-certified nurse practitioners and registered nurses who offer basic medical care for minor injuries and illnesses. The staff also focus on health promotion and education and provide referrals to appropriate off-campus health care providers.

Currently enrolled degree-seeking SAIC students may visit Health Services, and there are no fees for visits. There may be additional charges for laboratory work, medications, and outside referrals.

    • Evaluation and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries
    • Sexually transmitted disease screening and treatment*
    • HIV testing and prevention counseling
    • Gynecological exams
    • Free condoms
    • Required immunizations at no cost*
    • Dental, vision, and medical specialty referrals, including Health and Safety in the Arts
    • Individual consultation on health and lifestyle topics such as nutrition, sexual health, smoking cessation, and sleep

    *Online scheduling for immunizations and STI screenings available through the Patient Portal

    • Upper respiratory infections
    • Ear and eye infections
    • Minor injuries
    • Sore throat
    • Skin conditions
    • Sexual health
    • Gynecological wellness
    • Allergies

  • Information about the SAIC-sponsored student health insurance plan designed for SAIC students and their dependents can be found at saic.myahpcare.com. Questions may be directed to Academic Health Plans at 855-844-3023 or saic_studentinsurance@saic.edu.

  • Health Services staff endeavors to safeguard each student’s privacy and has a duty to maintain the confidentiality of all student health information. The duty of confidentiality, however, is not absolute; disclosure may be warranted to protect the student or other parties and when required by law, such as for public health reasons. Health Services staff may also disclose information about a student with the student’s consent. If you wish to have your records released to yourself or another facility, you must sign the Health Services Information Release Form‌.

  • All incoming students are required to submit a Certificate of Immunity and provide proof of health insurance. Students are also recommended to complete the forms in the patient portal.

  • If you have general health-related questions you can call the free, 24-hour nurse advice line at 877.924.7758 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may utilize the nurse advice line when Health Services is closed or anytime you need confidential medical advice. Registered Nurse Counselors help students identify the appropriate levels and sources of care. The nurse advice line provides clinical assessment, education, and general health information.

    If you have confirmed with the 24-hour nurse advice line that an immediate care clinic is the appropriate level of care, below are some local options. Each clinic accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, which is the provider network for the SAIC-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan.

    • Michigan Avenue Immediate Care 180 N. Michigan Ave., suite 1605 Chicago, IL 60601 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 312.201.1234 Website
    • Northwestern Immediate Care–River North 635 N. Dearborn St., Suite 100 Chicago, Illinois 60654 Monday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. Holiday hours vary. 312.694.2273 Website
    • Northwestern Immediate Care–Lincoln Park/Lakeview 1333 W. Belmont Avenue, Suite 100 and 200 Chicago, Illinois 60657 Monday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. 312.926.3627 Website
    • Midwest Express Clinic–River North 219 W. Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60654 Monday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 312.878.1945 Website
    • Midwest Express Clinic–Lakeview 2868 North Broadway Street Chicago, IL 60657 Monday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m.   8:00 p.m. Website
    • Physicians Immediate Care—West Loop 600 W. Adams St. Chicago, IL 60661 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 312.506.0900 Website
    • Physicians Immediate Care—South Loop 825 S. State St. Chicago, IL 60605 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 312.566.9510 Website
    • Physicians Immediate Care—Six Corners 4211 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 773.794.1000 Website
    • Physicians Immediate Care—Lincoln & Peterson 5961 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60659 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 312.702.3923 Website
    • Physicians Immediate Care—Niles 8630 W. Golf Rd. Niles, IL 60714 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 847.299.0009 Website

    This list of immediate care clinics is being provided for your convenience. Hours are subject to change without notice. SAIC does not endorse any clinic on this list, and SAIC makes no representation or warranty as to the quality or appropriateness of the care or services furnished by any clinic on this list. 

    Furthermore, SAIC assumes no responsibility for any such care or services furnished by any clinic on the list.

  • To report a medical emergency on campus call Campus Security at 312.899.1230. If the emergency is in a School building, the orange emergency button on an on-campus phone connects to Campus Security. Students experiencing medical emergencies off campus should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Immunizations & Records

In accordance with the Illinois College Immunization Code, all students who enroll in six or more credit hours per semester must have proof of immunization on file with Health Services by the beginning of preregistration. Students who are not in compliance with the immunization requirements will have a registration hold placed on their academic record, and will not be permitted to register for the following semester. Details on required immunizations and records and how to submit can be found here.

Cartoon illustration of a human-like figure seated in the center of a daisy, watering itself with a watering can.

Schedule an Appointment

At this time, we are not able to see Walk-In appointments, so please schedule in advance. To schedule an appointment, call 312.499.4288 or make one in person at 116 South Michigan Avenue, 13th floor. Regular Health Services hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Students with immediate health care needs will be seen as soon as possible.

Stay Healthy

To protect yourself from upper respiratory illnesses, public health authorities recommend the following:

  • Stay up to date on flu and COVID vaccines: Health Services offers flu shots seasonally. COVID shots are offered at area pharmacies.
  • Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
  • Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Medical Absences

  • To protect one another, and our larger community, from upper respiratory illnesses including COVID-19 and flu, students who have any symptoms of illness should not participate in any in-person class or on campus activity. Health Services does not provide excused absences, therefore students should contact their instructors regarding any circumstances, including illness, which will require them to stay at home. Students should still participate in any synchronous online course sessions and or asynchronous independent work, to the extent that they are able to do so.

    If, while at home, a student feels too ill to make any progress on their coursework, they should reach out to their instructors to discuss an alternative plan. Students will be required to engage in alternative work which addresses any content that they may have missed while absent. Communicating with instructors at the beginning of an illness will ensure that proper accommodations can be made.

  • Students with an extended absence due to hospitalization or severe illness should contact Health Services (312-499-4288) in addition to their instructors. Notification will be sent to all instructors informing them of the student’s absence. Please note that Extended Absence Notification does not excuse a student from classes. Students will only receive course credit if they have responded adequately to the standards and requirements set by the instructor. For other extenuating circumstances, contact the Academic Advising office at studenthelp@saic.edu or 312-629-6800.