College Health MD (2025)

21/12/2022

Happy Holidays! We hope you enjoy your break & time with family & friends!
- Dr. Nicole & The College Health MD team

09/12/2022

National Influenza Vaccination Week is a critical opportunity to remind everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this flu season by getting their annual flu vaccine if they have not already. Currently, flu activity is elevated across the country, so this week will serve to remind people that there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine today.

07/12/2022

The dreaded time of year for college students has approached... finals season. The amount of stress brought on by final exams can negatively impact academic performance. High stress levels can also weaken your immune system, which is the last problem that students need during finals week (especially while Covid & Influenza are increasingly prevalent). Managing stress will not only help with maintaining your student's mental health, but it will also help with them perform optimally on their final exams.  Here are some tips from PsychologyDegreeGuide.org for your college student regarding how to properly manage stress during finals season!

I'm wishing for your success on your exams!

25/11/2022

November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

“The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.”

While we celebrate time with our family it is important to remember those who came before us and suffered at the hands of others. Let’s remember and honor their lives and their struggle.

24/11/2022

We are grateful for every follow, like, and share. Thank you for trusting as as your source of reliable information for navigating the healthcare system and advocating for yourself and your loved ones in healthcare settings.

Wishing you a day filled with peace, love, joy, good food, and lasting memories.

11/11/2022

Today, we thank you for your service. 🇺🇸

02/11/2022

We know what it is like to feel stressed and being under pressure is a normal part of life. But becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse. On November 2nd, National Stress Awareness Day highlights the ways that stress can affect people and what you can do to manage your stress before it becomes a problem.

According to the American College Health Association, 45% of college students experience more than average stress levels. College is hard! There are so many things you have to juggle and keep up with that stress may seem inevitable but we are here to help! Stress can be managed and here are some tips to do so!

29/10/2022

One more day to sign up to be in our virtual studio audience! Health literacy should be taught in schools…but it is not. College students and parents- we invite you to join us TOMORROW (10/30) at 6pm ET for an interactive, fun experience where you will also learn about medical terminology and more!

One of the ways to ensure we receive high-quality medical care is to communicate effectively and confidently with our doctors/healthcare providers.

Registration is required to join us in the private Zoom room: 👉🏾 https://bit.ly/SWDshow.

21/10/2022

October is Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying in college is a real issue. Many people associate bullying with children and find it hard to believe that it would continue beyond high school. But young afults can find themselves the target of bullying behavior from their peers or even their professors.

Bullying can be particularly challenging to address at the college level. College professors aren’t typically as concerned with classroom management as elementary or high school teachers are, and they are less likely to mediate interpersonal disputes. And if the person doing the bullying is a roommate or someone in the same dorm , it can be very difficult or even impossible to relax and escape.

Fortunately, more people are becoming aware of the issues surrounding bullying. By arming yourself with the facts, you can be better prepared to bring an end to college bullying. We are sharing information on bullying that explains what it is, what forms it takes, what effects it has, and most importantly what you can do to stop it.

14/10/2022

Happy Homecoming Season!
It’s good to have fun but we have to remember that safety is the #1 priority!
It is important to stress that these tips are for all college students no matter where you are!
If you follow these simple things I’m sure you can have a fun and safe homecoming
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10/10/2022

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. The ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2022 will provide us with an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health.

An estimated one in eight people globally are living with a mental disorder. At the same time, the services, skills and funding available for mental health remain in short supply, and fall far below what is needed, especially in low and middle income countries.

We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors. We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.

Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively. We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need.

Visit who.int for more information and use the hashtag to show how you’re showing your support!

07/10/2022

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. It’s unfortunate that the highest statistic of reported domestic violence crimes come from women and men ages 18 - 24. Please know that if you or someone you know is in this situation there are resources and people that can and will help you! The number for the domestic violence hotline is 800-799-7232. You can also text START to 88788.

27/09/2022

September is Sexual Health Awareness Month. According to the American Sexual Health Association, s*xual health must go beyond outdated views of simply avoiding disease or unplanned pregnancy and should include experiencing pleasure and intimacy when desired, along with respecting the s*xual rights we all share. As you think about what s*xual health means, you should try to think about your own definitions of s*x and how that relates to your body. Much like general physical and mental health, s*xual health is just as important to your overall well-being. Educating yourself on your body and knowing what you need is important to being healthy. Your body, your mind, and your desires all matter when it comes to self-care.

Knowing and understanding s*xual health means understanding what safer s*x looks like. Some good questions to consider are:
• What does safer s*x look like for diverse bodies?
• How can we make sure we’re being safe and taking care of ourselves?
• What are your needs and what are your desires?

As you delve into s*xual health, it’s about being aware of not only your particular body, but also your potential partners! Whatever your gender or s*xual orientation may be, it’s important to embrace your s*xuality, educate yourself on safer s*x, and respect others’ boundaries. Talking to medical professionals about s*xuality might be daunting, but we’re here to support and uplift all people, especially the LGBTQ community’s needs around s*x and s*xuality.

25/09/2022

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week”, but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This year’s theme is Building Prosperous and Healthy Communities. Check out hispanicheritagemonth.gov to learn of in-person and virtual events that the Initiative are hosting during Hispanic Heritage Month.

13/09/2022

September is National Su***de Prevention Month. Each year, nearly 45,000 people complete su***de, making it the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention. Whether you have struggled with suicidal
thoughts yourself or have lost a loved one, know you are not alone. Please reach out to someone if you are struggling. You can also call or text 988 to speak with someone from the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline. Remember you are loved and you are important!!

11/09/2022

❤️🤍💙

05/09/2022

Happy Labor Day! Have a fun and safe holiday!

09/08/2022

Today is National Book Lovers Day! I have been a lover of books since I learned to read in kindergarten.

One of my favorite books as a child was The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Growing up in the 70s, it was one of few books with characters that looked like me. I was also a HUGE fan of Doctor Seuss books, especially The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.

I would be remiss if I didn’t share my own book, Healthcare Navigation 101: A Guide for College-Bound Students (and Parents!). This book is the perfect gift for college students (freshman through seniors) and their parents. It is the only guide of its kind that teaches adolescents and young adults how to begin navigating their own health and health care.

Check out the link (bit.ly/drnicolebook) and gift it to your favorite college student today.

What was your favorite childhood book? Let me know in the comments.

College Health MD