Healthcare Services
Except in emergency situations, the Program Director, Medical Director, principal faculty, and program staff are prohibited from serving as healthcare providers for enrolled students. This policy is intended to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, protect student privacy, and avoid conflicts of interest in academic evaluation and progression decisions.
Medical Services
Lincoln Memorial University requires all Physician Assistant students to maintain personal health insurance coverage throughout enrollment in the program. Students are responsible for obtaining and coordinating their own medical care through a primary care provider or other qualified healthcare professional of their choosing. Neither Lincoln Memorial University nor the LMU-SMS Chattanooga PA Program provides direct medical services to students.
Students are encouraged to establish care with a local primary care provider upon matriculation and to schedule routine healthcare appointments outside of scheduled instructional, laboratory, simulation, or clinical rotation hours whenever possible.
The Chattanooga region offers multiple private healthcare systems, urgent care centers, specialty practices, pharmacies, and hospital-based services available to students. Major healthcare systems in the area include:
- Erlanger Health System
- CHI Memorial
- Parkridge Health System
These healthcare systems provide access to emergency services, primary care, specialty care, women’s health services, behavioral health services, imaging, laboratory testing, urgent care clinics, and inpatient medical services. Numerous independent and private physician assistants, physicians, counselors, and specialty practices are also available throughout the Chattanooga metropolitan area.
In the event of a medical emergency, students should seek immediate care at the nearest emergency department or urgent care center, or by calling 911.
Mental Health Counseling Services
Students have access to confidential mental health counseling services through the LMU Office of Mental Health Counseling and may schedule appointments online or in person. Available services include confidential counseling appointments, mental health screenings, crisis intervention resources, wellness support, and assistance with obtaining counseling services while participating in off-campus educational activities or during clinical rotations.
The Program Director, Medical Director, principal faculty, and program staff are not permitted to serve as mental health counselors or therapists for enrolled students. Students requiring mental health services are encouraged to seek care through LMU counseling services or independent licensed mental health providers within the community.
Students experiencing a mental health emergency should immediately contact emergency services, proceed to the nearest emergency department, or utilize available crisis intervention resources.