Community Care: Partnerships and Student Learning Contribute to Patient Experiences

Through the Student Health Center, UT students have access to services like annual physicals, physical therapy, X-ray and lab diagnostics, a pharmacy, and appointments for illness. During spring 2026, a community partnership and a new clinic program created increased opportunity for student care.

In response to a flu variant that resulted in increased cases both locally and nationwide, Student Health Center staff conducted a test-to-treat fast track clinic. While this operation was outside the normal procedures for the center, it expedited care for students with uncomplicated, flu-like symptoms, with more than 410 students treated during a three-week period in January and February that might otherwise have had to seek care elsewhere. With oversight from a medical provider, the clinic was staffed by a registered nurse and both pre-health students and a master of public health student completing advanced practical training.

For Trista Smith, a Student Health Center nurse, “The flu clinic has made it possible to see many more acutely ill students during flu season. Being able to send students to the flu clinic for testing and treatment also means providers’ schedules are more free to meet the needs of other students.”

The Student Health Center has also created partnerships with two local practices to support training for health care practitioners as well as expedited care options for students. Health care providers through Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic and University Family Physicians now see patients in the center’s Sports Medicine Clinic, providing orthopedic care, physical therapy, and injury-related care. It has served as a way to both expand the Student Health Center capacity to see students and as a way to offer advanced fellowship opportunities to medical providers.

“Having sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy all in the same practice lets us coordinate specialized services,” says Amy Myers, a physical therapist who works in the Sports Medicine Clinic. “Students can get the injury care they need without leaving campus and avoid the additional costs associated with that care as well.”

Together, providers from these two practices have seen 623 patients in 788 visits. These visits are often higher acuity orthopedic conditions for which otherwise students would have to seek care elsewhere.

Whether it’s creating new clinic opportunities to support ill students or advancing options for acute injury, the Student Health Center is improving the overall health of the campus community while contributing to the experiential learning opportunities for future health care practitioners.