Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Printer-friendly versionDewar’s insurance covers only injuries that result from accidents; it does not cover visits to doctors, diagnostic tests (X-ray and lab work), and hospital stays that are due to, or result from, illnesses.
Printer-friendly versionMany colleges now require the meningococcal vaccine for school entry. Meningitis outbreaks have occurred on college campuses and students who live in dormitories appear to be at greater risk of contacting the disease. We advise you to ask your child’s physician for his/her recommendation about the meningococcal vaccine for your child.
Printer-friendly versionIf your child is a boarder, s/he should visit the infirmary and have the nurse schedule an appointment for him/her to see the dentist or eye doctor. The nurses will transport boarding students to their health appointments. Parents of day students should schedule their children’s health appointments and transport their children to these appointments.
Printer-friendly versionIt depends on the type of medication. Any medications that are classified as controlled medications, e.g. narcotics, are to be administered by the nurses. Other medications, such as antibiotics and inhalers, will be administered by the nurses or given to the child to keep in his/her room and self-administer at the nurse’s discretion. Parents are required to sign a consent form - “Request for Self-Administration” or “Request for Administration/Storage of Medication.”
Printer-friendly versionNorth Hawai'i Community Hospital is a modern, fully-equipped hospital located in the town of Kamuela within a 10-minute drive from our campuses. The emergency room at the hospital is open 24 hours a day and is staffed by qualified emergency room physicians and nurses.
Printer-friendly versionDuring the school day, your child can visit the school infirmary. Nurses are available to see students between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The infirmary at the Village Campus is located in the main office building. At the Upper Campus, the infirmary is located in the lower level of Taylor Commons (below the dining room.) A nurse is on call whenever the infirmary is closed to give health advice and to transport your child to the emergency room if needed. If your child needs care after hours, s/he should contact her dorm faculty advisor who will contact the nurse on call.
Printer-friendly versionAll Upper School students are required to participate in after-school sports or activities. Many of the co-curricular activities offered involve physical activity. The physical exam lets the school know that your child can safely participate in physical activities. The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF), which oversees the varsity and junior varsity sports of Big Island schools, requires a physical exam before students can participate in BIIF sports. The physical exam also alerts the health staff about any changes in your child’s health from previous years.
Printer-friendly versionEmergency contacts, phone numbers and e-mail addresses often change from the previous year. It is important that nurses have current information in case of an emergency. The Health Authorization needs to be signed each year for liability purposes.
Printer-friendly versionThe TB test is a tuberculosis screen. Hawai'i has one of the highest incidences of TB compared to other states. Tuberculosis is contagious; it affects the lungs and can affect other organs leading to damage if left undetected and untreated. The State of Hawai'i requires the TB test to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis.
Printer-friendly versionImmunization requirements are determined by the State Department of Health. The DTaP, Polio, MMR, and Hep B immunizations are required. Varicella is required unless your child has had the chicken pox disease. Meningococcal, pneumococcal, HPV, and Hep A immunizations are optional.
If you do not want your child to be immunized due to religious reasons, you must sign a “Religious Exemption” form, which is available through the school infirmary.
