It’s time to review your annual medical appointments
From: Hokie Wellness
Now that we have settled into another academic year, we encourage you to think about your physical health and well-being. One important step is to review your annual medical appointments to see what you might still need to schedule before the end of the year.
Yearly appointments
Recommended annual appointments*:
- Annual physical (no cost with university health insurance): May include cancer screenings, blood work, physical checks, vaccinations, sexual health screenings, rectal exam/PSA test (males age 40 or older), etc.
- Dermatologist: Full-body skin check
- Eye doctor: Complete eye exam
- Dentist: Dental cleaning and checkup (every six months)
- Gynecologist (for females): May include pap test, pelvic exam, clinical breast exam, HPV test, and mammogram (age 40 or older)
If you are 45 or older
You’ll want to speak with your doctor about a colonoscopy and screenings for lung cancer, osteoporosis, dementia/Alzheimer's disease.
The need for a primary care doctor
It is important to work with your health care provider to develop a personalized prevention health plan.
If you need a primary care doctor or other in-network provider, we suggest calling your insurance provider at the customer service number on the back of your insurance card.
To learn about the importance of establishing a relationship with a primary care provider, we encourage you to attend the upcoming free workshop, “I don’t need a PCP, I feel fine.” The workshop will cover the many types of health care visits and screenings that are available and necessary for your health. This hybrid workshop will be taught by members of the Residency Program at Lewis Gale.
Contact Hokie Wellness
If you would like help navigating any health and wellness resource, including low-cost or sliding-scale providers, we encourage you to reach out to Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu or by calling 540-231-8878. You can also schedule an appointment. You can also find many additional wellness resources and services on the Hokie Wellness website.
Hokie Wellness serves Virginia Tech to foster a healthier community by providing prevention services, education, outreach, and resources to employees and students. Be sure to visit our calendar of events for the latest information on Hokie Wellness programs. If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation, please contact Hokie Wellness by email at hokiewellness@vt.edu.
* The right plan for your care may differ based on your medical history, family history, lifestyle, and personal preferences. We also acknowledge that medical screening recommendations are often not fully inclusive. If you identify as trans, nonbinary, or gender diverse and have questions about appointments or screenings, please see below. The following articles are listed for educational purposes and should not be taken as an endorsement of any specific business or health provider mentioned.