Frequently Asked Questions

To make an appointment, call us at 401 454-6625. You may email any non-urgent questions or requests at health@risd.edu

We are located at 72 Pine Street, Providence, RI 02903. Our offices are on the second floor. There is an accessible entrance on Dorrance Street. 

The services we provide are covered by your RISD tuition. 

Any services provided outside of our office, however, will incur costs determined by your individual health plan. This includes, but not limited to, lab work, prescriptions, imaging, and specialty referrals. 

Our expert nurse practitioners provide a wide range of care at no cost to full-time students, including:

• routine health screening
• gynecological care
• LGBTQIA+ care
• STI screening and treatment
• birth control counseling
• pregnancy testing
• lab work

For care or testing that we do not provide, we can refer you to a Providence-area specialist.

More about our services

With our online patient portal you can conveniently:

• submit immunization records
• view upcoming or past appointment dates
• submit health records
• update personal information
• securely communicate with your RISD care provider

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse who has expanded their education to allow for diagnosing and treatment of medical conditions. They are allowed to prescribe medications and perform procedures, allowing for comprehensive medical care of our students.

While not all commercial health plans require referrals to see specialists, RISD’s University Health Plan does require a referral from Student Health Services anytime care is sought outside of our facility, unless it is an emergency. Please contact our office to assist with this process.

There are some visits that may be performed virtually, as long as you are physically located in Rhode Island. Please contact our office for more information.

If you believe you are having a medical emergency, please contact public safety and/or call 911. Otherwise, we recommend you seek care at Lifespan Urgent Care, located on Branch Avenue in Providence.

Please contact our office upon discharge so we may follow up on your condition and any follow-up care that may be needed.

We do offer some vaccines within Health Services. Please call us at 401 454-6625 to make an immunization appointment or to speak with a nurse for questions regarding immunizations.

We are open Mon–Fri 8:30 am–4:30 pm. We are not open overnight or on weekends.

If you are experiencing an emergency outside of our normal business hours, call Public Safety at 401 454-6666 or dial 911. If your health issue is not urgent, please call us during our standard business hours or email us at health@risd.edu.

No, Health Services does not provide or administer allergy injections. Our office can assist with a referral to a local allergist in the Providence area. 

• The same health forms and vaccination requirements for RISD students applies to Pre-College students.
• Pre-College students are required to have a U.S. based health insurance plan. Pre-College students can purchase a 5 week plan through University Health Plans to satisfy this requirement.
• Health Services staff does not store or administer home medication as a school nurse would. Students are expected to make a plan for how they will successfully manage their own medications.