COM Current Students

CHSU-COM must authorize accepted students with Certiphi so that the background check and drug screen processes can be initiated. Once a student is authorized, Certiphi will send an email to the student indicating that each of these authorizations (which are separate) has been completed.

Please note: The initial fee for the background check is a deposit. The fee will vary between individuals (e.g. if you have 10 aliases it will cost more than if you have only used one name all your life). Once the background check is complete the remainder of the deposit will be returned.

The drug screen fee pertains to one visit to Quest and the processing of one sample. If, for whatever reason, your sample turns out to be inadequate, you will have to pay for a second screen.

PLEASE NOTE: CHSU expects students to follow Federal Law with respect to drug usage (i.e. NOT the laws of their legal state of residence and NOT California law).

CHSU-COM provides students with a comprehensive career and residency match advising support that is designed to assist in reaching professional goals. In collaboration with academic advisors and the Office of Clinical Education, students are provided with opportunities for group workshops as well as individualized preparation sessions for career advancement.

CHSU-COM acknowledges the value of a four- year career planning process and strives to provide medical students with the information, resources and experiences that will best equip them for a successful transition from medical school to residency training; and the realization of a successful career in medicine.

A career and residency match counselor is available to assist students in making decisions throughout their medical school trajectory; by providing guidance in developing a curriculum vita, exploring career opportunities, selecting a specialty, providing students with tips and advice to prepare for a successful and effective residency training interview. In addition, CHSU-COM extends complimentary subscriptions to various tools that may assist students in the development of their interests in strategically choosing a medical specialty.

Contact the Career and Residency Match Counselor, Nohemi Barriga, PsyD to schedule an appointment.

Get to Know the Fresno/Clovis Area

The Central Valley is home to nearly 1.88 million acres of the world’s most productive farmland and boasts a multitude of recreational, educational, and commerce opportunities that make it a great place to live. Fresno is the fifth largest city in California and is a metropolitan hub for the Central Valley, centered between three national parks (Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia). The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the regional airport for the Central Valley, providing more than 100 daily flights to more than 25 cities.

Clovis is known as the “Gateway to the Sierras” and offers shopping, museums, restaurants and art galleries in the quaint Old Town Clovis area, where CHSU is located. CHSU students enjoy the unique combination of high quality of life, affordable cost of living by California standards, and plentiful career opportunities in health care that the Valley provides.

Unique benefits of the Central Valley include:

• Three nearby National Parks (Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia)
• Local farmers markets
• Family-friendly fun at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the Clovis Rodeo, or the Big Fresno Fair
• Local art at ArtHop on historic Fulton Street in Downtown Fresno
• Shopping at our River Park Shopping Center, Fashion Fair Mall, or Fig Garden Village
• Local sports teams like the Fresno State Bulldogs, Fresno Grizzlies baseball, or Fresno Football Club “Los Zoros”

Here are a few resources that can help you explore our area:

Fresno/Clovis Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Learn more about the region and the lifestyle of our community. Discover all that Fresno County has to offer families and individuals alike!

Old Town Clovis Check out the events happening in Clovis!

Downtown Fresno Partnership Check out the events happening in Fresno!

Clovis Rodeo Learn more about this longstanding community event that has become tradition in our region for the past century.

Plan It Fresno A guide to events happening in the Central Valley.

CHSU-COM Psychological Counselor

CHSU-COM has coordinated with Dr. Audrey Punnett (Clinical Psychologist) to provide psychological counseling to CHSU-COM students beginning on February 22, 2021. Eight clinical hour (45 minute) appointments are available on Mondays beginning at 12 noon and continuing on the hour thereafter. Dr. Punnett’s office is located in Fresno, CA. Please call 559-225-8963 to make an appointment.

This service is provided at no cost to students and is intended for short-term care (up to 6 consecutive sessions). Students requiring longer term treatment will be referred by Dr. Punnett to another provider. Emergency consultations may be scheduled at Dr. Punnett’s discretion.

Use of this service is confidential and the bills to CHSU-COM will de-identify the clients. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy and CHSU-COM will be billed for appointments cancelled with less than 24 hour’s notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Dr. Punnett requests that the initial visit occur in person, outside, with masks and social distancing. At the initial visit it will be necessary to provide a signed consent form, tele-mental health consent form and an adult intake form. Both Word and fillable PDF versions of these forms can found on the Student Affairs BrightSpace course page. Dr. Punnett will also have paper copies of these forms available at her office. When you phone for an appointment please identify yourself as a CHSU-COM student. Dr. Punnett will provide information about office location during the call. Until further notice, subsequent visits will be virtual due to COVID.

Announcing CHSU WellConnect – a mental health service for students

CHSU has purchased WellConnect, a confidential mental health service for students. The service is now available; there is no cost to students to use the WellConnect service. Individual counseling by licensed professionals is available 24/7. Students have access to a therapist by phone, message, chat, or video.

The WellConnect website features information and assistance with:

• Relationships
• Emotional well-being
• Addiction
• Wellness assessments and screening
• Legal and financial resources
• Suicide prevention
• Other health and wellness topics

Referrals to local mental health, financial, legal, housing, and childcare resources are also available.

How to reach WellConnect:

Login to WellConnect

Access Code: CHSU-STU
Student Support Line: 866-640-4777
WellConnectForYou.com

All contact with WellConnect is completely confidential. Our mission is to fully support the personal, social, and emotional well-being of CHSU students. You will need the CHSU access code every time you call or use the website.

Contact your Office of Student Affairs with questions or for additional information.

CHSU Wellness Resources

If you find yourself dealing with the pressure, stress, and challenges of daily life and don’t know where to turn for assistance, check out the Library’s new wellness resource guide for CHSU students, faculty, and staff.

Here you will find information on the following topics:

• CHSU Wellness Events
• Exercise, Fatigue, Nutrition
• Mental Health & Wellness
• Mindfulness
• WellConnect

Check out the Mindfulness section to find apps, podcasts, videos, and book ideas to help with relaxation, meditation, sleep, and ways to relieve stress and anxiety.

California Health Sciences University’s Office of the Registrar is responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the University’s official student records and safeguards the privacy and security of those records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

We support CHSU students, alumni, faculty and staff by:

• • Maintaining academic records and ensuring student data privacy standards are met
  • Creating student course creation and registration in the student management system
  • Processing student grades and grade changes
  • Preparing transcripts and diplomas
  • Completing degree audits to ensure students meet graduation requirements
  • Supporting commencement planning
  • Supporting students with professional & licensing documentation
  • Maintaining the University Catalog, Academic Calendar and course schedules
  • Maintaining curricular compliance
  • Maintaining policies and procedures concerning student enrollment and academic record management

The Open Enrollment and Waiver Period for the 2020/2021 CHSU Student Health Insurance Plan has closed. Once enrolled or waived, your status can not change during the policy year unless you have a loss of coverage because of a Qualifying Life Event and need to enroll in the student plan. If you are enrolled in the student plan you will remain enrolled for the entire policy year. Insurance premiums will also be billed to your student account by semesters as determined by CHSU.

CHSU Student Health Insurance Website

Here you will find all the information for the CHSU Student Insurance Plan, Enrollment and Waiver Process, and essential documents for the insurance plan. HSAC will be your source for all insurance related questions, enrollment requests, waiver submissions and approvals, assistance with your insurance if you are enrolled in the CHSU student insurance plan including ID cards, coverage questions, claims issues, checking for provider networks. CHSU Student Health Insurance Website

CHSU Student Health Insurance Plan Provider

The 2020/2021 CHSU Student Health Insurance Plan will continue to be offered by United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR).

Questions Regarding Student Health Insurance?

Please feel free to contact Apryl Cowher or Karin Swanson at HSA Consulting, Inc. (888-978-8355) or email chsu@hsac.com with any questions regarding the waiver/enrollment process or the CHSU Student Health Insurance plan.

Please contact the Office of Student Affairs:

• Tom Thao, COM Student Affairs Program Manager, tthao@chsu.edu, (559) 712-4170
• Dr. Susan Ely, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Admission, sely@chsu.edu, (559) 712-4200

Student Liaisons:

Class of 2024 Student Liaison Focus Group for Academic Year 2020-2021:

• Mia Hirsh (Academic Representative)
• Jon Schulze (Academic Representative)
• Saloni Patel
• Seaver Stoll
• Sarah Holzman