EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The days might be cold, icy or even rainy, but that hasn’t stopped construction activity from heating up this winter on the northwest end of the Eastern Michigan University campus as the new campus and community health center takes shape. The center, a collaboration with Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) and IHA, will provide primary care and urgent care services to the University’s students, staff and the greater community.

Bulldozers, shovels, road graders and other heavy equipment dot the site, located at the corner of Oakwood Street and Huron River Drive, next to the headquarters of the EMU Department of Public Safety.

Work on the project began this past fall semester, with full completion scheduled for around the end of the year. The final plan for the project was approved by the EMU Board of Regents last June.

Work on the health center so far has included:

• Extensive earth work, which involves regrading the once hilly site to establish new grades and contours for the building footprint, along with a new parking lot for the facility and proper site drainage.

• Making way for utilities, including water, gas, electric and storm water. Following the utility work this winter will come the beginning of foundation work.

 • Extending Lyman Road from Oakwood Street to Mayhew Street, in order to provide an entrance to the facility. The expansion involved creating storm system drainage, curb and gutter work and installing lights. Paving will occur this spring.

Primary care and urgent care services

The construction plan calls for the University to build the 28,500 square foot facility, at a total estimated cost of $14 million. The University will lease space to IHA/SJMHS and contract with IHA to operate the urgent care and clinical operations, which are expected to utilize 14,000 square feet, about half of the complex.

The center will offer:

• Comprehensive primary care services
• 7-day-a-week urgent care services, including x-ray
• laboratory and pharmacy services

Candice Crutcher, Eastern Michigan University's Student Body President, notes, "The new health center will provide Eastern students with more options for quality health care, as well as offering Eastern health science students practical hands-on experience in the medical profession.”

Facility builds on collaboration between EMU, IHA and SJMHS

The University will continue to provide counseling and psychological services (CAPS) now offered in Snow Health Center, as well as operate the Psychology Clinic (currently housed at 611 West Cross Street) in the new building.

The new facility reflects an expansion of the strong collaboration between SJMHS, IHA, and Eastern, which includes the Physician Assistant Program at Eastern, launched in spring 2014.

The collaboration also includes a simulation center and anatomy lab, residency training at the student health center, exercise science, inter-professional patient care and education, and large-scale emergency preparedness exercises.

The existing Snow Health Center area on Eastern’s campus is being evaluated for other potential uses.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 19,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.