CORRECTION: A new version of this story has been posted due to a factual error that is listed at the bottom of the article. The Justice regrets the error.The Student Union requested that the administration conduct a thorough review of the services and effectiveness of the Brandeis University Health Center in order to address student concerns regarding privacy, physician hours and misdiagnosis, according to Student Union President Jason Gray '10.

The Health Center staff is employed by the Beth Israel Hospital. Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer explained that Brandeis' contract with the Beth Israel group is up for renewal this year. Director of Executive Affairs for the Student Beth Israel Group, Union Director of Executive Affairs and Chair of the Health Center Advisory Committee Jess Blumberg '09 said that as a result of the contract being up for renewal, this was the time to seize the moment regarding implementing changes to the Health Center.

Gray said that this review needs to be different from previous internal reviews conducted by the Health Center. He explained that whatever reviews the Health Center has conducted in the past few years haven't adequately addressed the issues students are still concerned about. "This can't be a pretend review. It has to be real and get at the heart of the issue," he said. Gray explained that he doesn't want the administrators to just go through the motions.

One of students' top concerns about the Health Center is the lack of privacy students receive. It has been noted that when students go to the information desk, other students can hear what is being discussed. In response to these concerns, Director of the Health Center Kathleen Maloney explained that the Health Center bought a new front desk last January to provide more privacy, as well as putting up signs that encourage students to feel free to ask to speak with a nurse in a private room if they need to discuss private matters.

The Health Center operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The availability of doctors is another concern that this review is designed to address. Maloney explained that the most frustrating thing for her is that sometimes it's difficult for students to make appointments with doctors because the students have busy schedules.

Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer said, "If there are people who find particular hours to be inaccessible, I think [Maloney] and others [at the Health Center] might consider making the hours more accessible."

Another issue students and administrators alike hope to address is the concern expressed by students who feel they have been misdiagnosed by Health Center nurses and doctors.

In an e-mail to the Justice, Noah C. Ruderman '11, wrote, "In March, the Health Center unknowingly sent me for a well-documented procedure with a high risk of nerve damage. I was misdiagnosed with a benign symptom, when I returned [to the Health Center] unable to move my arm above my head; I was assured that this was not abnormal. When I returned with test results showing severe nerve damage disabling a large muscle in my back, there wasn't a neurosurgeon specialized enough in the health plan to operate. No responsibility was claimed for my condition."

Alex Davidson '10 wrote in a Facebook message to the Justice, "Once they told me I had an STD, which was impossible at the time. I usually avoid the health center unless something is really wrong."

He also wrote, "Once, I saw the doctor there and she was incredibly helpful. I had had a surgery the year before and my scar was bothering me, and she did a thorough checkup and was very friendly. So I guess it's hit or miss."

Rachel Feldman '11 explained, "I had skipped three periods, and I had spotting mid-cycle, which I had never had before. This freaked me out a little, so I headed over to the Health Center. Siobhan, the nurse-practitioner was very nice to me. She took some cultures, and told me I had an STD; however, this [was] not possible. She then prescribed some penicillin, which I took. I went back, and supposedly I still had this STD. At this point my mother and I decided that I should stop going to the Health Center. After some more gynecological adventures, it turns out I had nothing in the first place."

Maloney said, "I can't tell you how interested I am in fixing this, but if people don't meet me halfway, my hands are tied. Let me help," she said.

Maloney also explained that the problem with students suggesting that they have been misdiagnosed is that sometimes certain conditions can develop over time, especially in between visits to the Health Center.

Blumberg tried to conduct a survey last year. However, Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer explained, "There was concern that the survey hadn't been vetted to provide neutrality in the survey." He said that many of the questions "were almost leading questions."

Gray stated, "I hope that we are able to address the areas of concern brought up by students, and ensure that services that the Health Center providing are the best one that we can provide."

-Jillian Wagner contributed reporting.

Correction: The article originally stated that Alex Davidson '10 wrote an e-mail to the Justice, but he actually wrote a Facebook message.