Services

The following services are available at FIT Health Services to students registered for credit courses, unless otherwise noted.

Health History form, Notice of Privacy Practices and Consent form and Telemedicine Consent Form are required for new patients before receiving care at Health Services. New patients can save time during their appointment by completing the forms online prior to their visit. Please log in to the FIT Health Portal with your FIT username and password to begin. We may ask patients to fill out the Health History form more than once to keep their health information up to date. 

Services

In addition to the services listed below, we also provide free male condoms and lubricant, STI (sexually-transmitted infection) testing, and referrals to other medical specialists as needed.

General medical & gynecological services at Health Services include diagnosis and treatment of general medical conditions. We can help you with majority of your health care needs including acute problems such as respiratory illnesses (e.g. cold, cough, sore throat), skin problems, ear problems, gynecological problems, stomach problems, UTI, and minor emergencies; as well as chronic illnesses and concerns.

Medications

We provide many medications prescribed by our health practitioners free of charge. We offer some medications such as emergency contraceptive pills for free. Our health practitioners can write prescriptions for medications needed that we don't have at the Health Services. Contact your health insurance for details on prescription coverage.

FIT students requiring treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have three options, outlined below.

Most Optimal Option

Continue care and medication treatment with your current managing provider outside of FIT.  Arrangements should be made to obtain medications prior to arriving on campus and again while on breaks or by other means.

Second Most Optimal Option

Obtain a new provider in the NYC area to continue/transfer care from your original physician or to initiate care with a new provider if you are seeking an evaluation to investigate whether you have or need treatment for ADHD/ADD.

Click here for a list of sites for evaluation and other services in the NYC area (.pdf). The list is provided for your convenience and do not imply an endorsement of the information or services provided by listed practitioners. These outside providers are not affiliated with FIT College and therefore billing for these visits will be done through the traditional medical insurance system or by out of pocket fee-for services.  Please contact your medical insurance company about coverage benefits for testing, treatment and physician coverage for this disorder. Testing centers often have waiting lists for evaluations and the results can take 4-8 weeks.

Least Optimal Option

Obtain prescriptions from FIT Health Services. This option does not have the benefit of continuity of care with the previous managing provider or the expertise provided by a specialist in the field of ADHD/ADD.

Required Documents

All of the following documentations are required before prescriptions for ADHD/ADD can be administered by FIT Health Services:

  • A summary on a physicians letter head that includes diagnosis, date of diagnosis, length of treatment with medications for this diagnosis and a plan of care clearly describing medication management and other treatment modalities to be carried out.
  • A summary of behavioral testing and/or neuro-psychiatric testing from within the last 4 years, that is an accepted gold standard test for evaluating and diagnosing ADHD/ADD.  This must include the name of the testing performed, the date of evaluation and a summary of the results.
  • A summary of a plan of care will have to be provided from the current managing physician each calendar year moving forward in order to continue receiving medication prescriptions from FIT Health Services.

FIT students who choose to receive prescriptions from FIT Health Services and provide all the proper documentation will be able to receive prescriptions for ADHD/ADD treatment from FIT Health Services providers as described in the plan of care from their current providing physician.  No changes can be made in medications or dosages unless a new plan of care is provided to FIT Health Services reflecting those changes in treatment.

How to Send Documents

If you have any questions, please call us at (212) 217-4190.

The Women's Health Clinic at FIT Health Services is dedicated to help anyone with female, GYN, women’s health, or reproductive concerns.

Virtual Women's Health Clinic "walk-ins" are available via live chat on the Health Portal. Women's Health Clinic appointments are available virtually and in-person.

Services We Provide

  • Annual GYN visits to review your health history, perform age-appropriate screenings and vaccines, and counsel you about sexual and reproductive health relevant to you.
  • PAP smear testing (thin prep) which also checks for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection).
  • Prescriptions for birth control can be written, which can be filled at your local pharmacy. Contact your health insurance for details on prescription coverage.
  • Pregnancy testing and referral.
  • Emergency contraception is available at our office.

Please note: any tests done during the exam are charged to the patient's health insurance. The patient has the option to pay for it in cash at the Health Services.

The Women's Health Clinic is a very popular clinic and appointments are at a premium; therefore, the Health Services has instituted the following policy:

A student who needs to cancel a Women's Health Clinic appointment must notify the Health Services 24 hours in advance. The only exception to this rule will be for an extreme emergency, which must be individually discussed with the appropriate Health Services provider. Failure to comply with these rules will result in losing your privilege to use the Women's Clinic.

TIP: Do not wait until the end of the semester to schedule a Women's Clinic appointment. As mentioned earlier, appointments are at a premium and available appointments run out quickly.

VERY IMPORTANT:

For 48 hours before the exam, DO NOT:

  • douche
  • have sex
  • use vaginal medications

If in error you have done any of the above, please inform your provider before the exam. 

Men often have different needs, different concerns, different questions and issues from their female counterparts.  That's why Health Services is now offering a Men's Health Clinic, staffed by male primary care providers, whose focus is on the needs of FIT's male students.  The Men's Health Clinic  provides you with the opportunity to select providers you feel comfortable with, in an atmosphere that is non-judgmental and confidential. 

Virtual Men's Health "walk-ins" are available via live chat on the Health Portal. Men's Health appointments are available virtually and in-person.

Reasons for making an appointment with the Men's Health Clinic may include:

  • Testicular exam
  • Testing and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  • HIV Testing
  • Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (GBTQ) support
  • Genital or Rectal Problems
  • Testicular pain/rashes
  • Erectile dysfunction/early ejaculation, etc.
  • Hernias/groin pain
  • Sports related injury
  • Common skin conditions
  • And more!

All HIV tests are confidential and voluntary.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

HIV is passed from one person to another during unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom) with someone who has HIV. It can also be passed through contact with blood as in sharing needles (piercing, tattooing or injecting drugs of any kind) or sharing works with a person who has HIV.

HIV testing is important for your health.

  • If your test result is negative, you can learn how to protect yourself from being infected in the future.
  • If your test result is positive:
    • You can take steps to prevent passing the virus to others.
    • You can receive treatment for HIV and learn about other ways to stay healthy. As part of treatment, additional tests will be done to determine the best treatment for you. These tests may include viral load and viral resistance tests.

Important Phone Numbers

NYCDOHMH HIV/AIDS Hotline
    1-800-TALK-HIV (1-800-825-5448)

New York City Contact Notification Assistance Program
    (212) 693.1419

New York State HIV/AIDS Hotlines (toll-free)
Call the Hotlines for information about HIV and AIDS and to find HIV testing sites
    1-800-541-AIDS (2437) - English
    1-800-233-SIDA (7432) - Spanish

New York State TTY/TTD HIV/AIDS Information Line
    (212) 925-9560

Voice callers use the NY relay:
    711 or 1-800-421-1220 and ask the operator for (212) 925-9560

New York State HIV/AIDS Counseling Hotline
    1-800-872-2777

Confidentiality
    New York State Confidentiality Hotline 1-800-962-5065
    Legal Action Center (212) 243-1313 or 1-800-223-4044

Human Rights/Discrimination
    New York State Division of Human Rights 1-800-523-2437
    New York City Commission on Human Rights (212) 306-7500

Above information is from the New York State Department of Health 

Visit Immunization Requirements for details on the immunization requirements to enter FIT.

Immunizations available at Health Services including costs are listed on our Fees page.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that has been used for centuries and is based on the idea that energy called chi flows through your body. Illness may block the flow of chi and acupuncturists believe that acupuncture unblocks and rebalances the flow of chi to improve health. To do this, tiny needles are used to stimulate specific areas of the body.

Who should get acupuncture?

People use acupuncture to relieve pain and treat certain health conditions, including:

  • Lower back pain
  • Headaches
  • Menstrual Cramps
  • Asthma
  • Dental pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Myofascial pain

Is it safe?

Yes, when give by a trained, licensed practitioner. The needles are sterile, nontoxic and used only once.

What does it feel like?

Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. Most people feel no pain. Some people are energized by treatment, others are relaxed.

Medical massage therapy can help students who suffer from ailments relating to sports injuries, arthritis, muscle pain or circulatory problems. Our massage therapist employs techniques applied to the muscular structure and soft tissues such as kneading, stroking, tapping, compression, and pressure to reduce stress and fatigue and improve circulation to aid in muscle health recovery. If you have any chronic issues, please consult with a healthcare provider at Health Services in order to create a care plan specialized for you.

Before Your Appointment

  • Make sure it is a good time for you to have a massage.
    Reschedule your visit if have a fever, skin irritations (such as poison ivy or sunburn), or if you are trying to stabilize your medication (because massage can affect the dosage needed).
  • In the days before your massage, drink plenty of water.
  • Do not eat just before your massage. Consume a meal no less than an hour prior to your massage. If needed, a small snack prior to you massage is manageable.
  • Give yourself enough time to arrive on time and relax. If you are rushing and arrive stressed, it will take longer to get into a relaxed state.

After Your Appointment

  • Drinking water after a deep massage can help to flush lactic acid from your tissues and prevent soreness.

Common Questions

Is it common to experience emotions?

  • It depends. You might be having a day filled with emotions: sadness, joy or exhaustion.
  • Sometimes the touch, music that brings up memories, or the smell of the massage oil may release feelings.
  • The body can react by crying, laughing, or "shivering from cold."
  • The mind can also become absorbed in the feelings rather than the massage.
  • Your therapist will simply ask if you are okay to continue receiving touch and given your answer, he or she will monitor how you are doing and adjust the session goals accordingly.

Is it okay to talk?

  • Yes, it is okay to talk.
  • Be mindful of how much you talk, you may get more benefits from a relaxation massage.
  • If you are nervous during the process of receiving your massage and need to talk to feel safe, the message therapist is here for you.

What if I am embarrassed about my body?

  • Remember that the massage therapist is a professional who is sensitive to possible client issues with touch and are non-judgmental about your body weight, amount of hair, skin conditions, scars, disabilities, medical conditions, or personal history of trauma.
  • If you would like to speak to the health educator, a nutritionist, or counseling about your body image, please notify the massage therapist or call (212) 217-4190 to schedule an appointment.

Nutrition counseling with a Registered Dietitian (RD) is available as one of the Student Health Center's complementary services. Registered Dietitians are acknowledged professionals trained to advise you on diet, supplements, food and nutrition. They can help you to separate fact from fiction, health eating plans from unsafe diets, and they help you translate the science of nutrition into healthy food choices. RDs have completed a minimum of four years of education as well as supervised internship in dietetics at an accredited university.

Dietitians can provide you with personalized nutrition information, taking into consideration your age, sex, medical history, lifestyle, and eating habits. Before making recommendations for improving your diet, they assess your concerns, your usual eating pattern and work demands, living situation, as well as your cultural or ethnic background. With this information, your dietitian will offer practical ideas on planning menus, shopping within your budget, eating on a meal plan, and how to prepare good tasting meal and snacks. They understand the importance of diet in the prevention and treatment of many disease conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, hypertension, and heart disease, and eating disorders. The advice of a Registered Dietitian can be used to enhance the quality of your life.

Grocery Store Tour

Now offering- Smart Shopping: Grocery Store Tours

Walking through a grocery store can be a daunting and challenging task when you are unsure how to make healthy choices. Our grocery tours walk you through each aisle and point out healthy options and alternatives; learn how to shop on a budget, and which aisles to avoid. We also teach individuals how to properly read nutrition labels and discuss the differences between servings and portion sizes.

The 45 to 60 minute tour is fun and educational and permits time for any questions you may have. You can sign up by yourself or go with a friend or roommate!

To sign up, fill out the Grocery Store Tour Sign-up Form.

Want to see all the local grocery stores in the area? Check out our resources page on local food.

In order to provide an environment that promotes the health, well-being, and safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors, the Fashion Institute of Technology is now a 100% smoke- and tobacco-free campus.

Living tobacco-free is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health, quality of life and longevity.  Quitting isn’t always easy, but it is within your power to become a non-smoker forever. Health Services is offering our students access to free over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy products (patches and gum). Students participating in the program also meet with a health educator who provides individual support and helps students understand the process of quitting, along with developing a personal plan to stop using tobacco.

health risks associated with smoking tobacco

During the initial session, your health educator will talk with you about your goals, the history of your tobacco use as well as previous efforts at quitting. Together you will come up with a plan that will include support from the health educator as well as nicotine replacement therapy, when appropriate.

After the initial session, brief individual coaching sessions, no more than 30 minutes, are offered. It is recommended that students participating in this program meet with the health educator regularly (every week or every other week) during the first month or two of their quit.

Internet and Social Media Resources

New York State Smokers’ Quitline  
A free service that provides New York State residents with help when they are ready to stop using tobacco.

SmokefreeTXT 
Try this mobile text messaging program that provides 24/7 tips, advice, and encouragement to help you quit smoking.

The Case for Quitting  
Provides a timeline of health milestones individuals can look forward to once they’ve quit smoking. 

The EX Plan 
A free quit smoking program that helps you re-learn your life without cigarettes. Before you actually stop smoking, we'll show you how to deal with the very things that trip up so many people when they try to quit smoking. So you'll be more prepared to quit and stay quit.

CDC Tobacco Free on Twitter  
Learn about the harmful effects of smoking, smokeless tobacco, and secondhand smoke, while also getting tips from former smokers. 

TobaccoFreeU.org
The official BACCHUS Network website devoted to tobacco control with college and university campuses and young adults. 

The Great American Smokeout
Resources for quitting on the day of the annual Great American Smokeout, held on the third Thursday of November each year.

Reasons To Quit Smoking That You Might Actually Care About
More reasons to quit smoking from Ohio State University

Smokeout Countdown Clock 
Download the American Cancer Society’s Countdown Clock and receive daily tips right on your desktop that will help you prepare to quit. When your quit day arrives the Countdown Clock will continue to provide practical support tips for your first month as a nonsmoker.

QuitNow Cost Calculator
Quitting smoking really does lead to a richer life. Use this quit calculator tool to see just how much you’ll be saving once you’re tobacco-free. You’ll be amazed at how much it all adds up!

Fight Back Against Tobacco 
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, is holding lawmakers accountable for their words and their actions. We demand that our leaders not only talk about fighting cancer but take real steps toward decreasing the number of people suffering and dying from cancer. 



A Mindful Way to Reduce Stress

What is Mindfulness?

  • Mindfulness includes meditation.
  • It is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on around us.
  • The practice of mindfulness allows one to fully experience the current moment, without dwelling upon the past and future.

How is it beneficial?

  • Great for those who suffer with depression, anxiety, chronic pain.
  • Can improve memory.
  • Promotes focus and general well-being.
  • Helps with stress management.

How long is the session?

Each session is around 30-40 minutes.

Please visit the Food Pantry page for all details.

Please visit the Health Education page for all details.

Laboratory (lab) services are available from 9 am to 3 pm on a walk-in basis.

A lab order from a health care provider is required for lab services. You may see a health care provider at Health Services on a walk-in basis or by appointment.

Please keep in mind that payment is required for receiving lab services. The patient has the option to have the lab tests billed to the patient's insurance company or pay for the tests at Health Services. If insurance information or payment is not provided at time of service, a bill from the lab will be mailed to the patient. It is the responsibility of the patient to pay the bill in a timely manner.

  • In order to bill the insurance company, patient must provide insurance information before receiving lab services. Please contact your insurance company to verify coverage and inquire about costs.
  • Patient may opt to pay for the tests at Health Services at time of service instead of billing the insurance company. We accept cash and most major credit cards. A list of fees for basic tests performed at the Health Services is listed on the Fees page. 

Our lab is staffed by a full-time Phlebotomist and serviced by LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics.  Comprehensive lab tests needed for diagnostic purposes are performed on site at the request of a Health Services healthcare provider.  If you have a lab request from your private healthcare provider for medical issues, your lab work can be done at Health Services with a lab order from your private healthcare provider .

For after-hours lab services, go to LabCorp and/or Quest Diagnostics for a list of locations. Bring your lab requisition or prescription with you.