About

About Sindecuse Health Center

Gordon and Elizabeth Sindecuse

On September 11, 1986, Gordon and Elizabeth Sindecuse offered a gift of one million dollars to the Western Michigan University endowment fund. At that time, it was the largest unrestricted gift ever received in the history of WMU. The money resulted in the establishment of the Gordon and Elizabeth Sindecuse Endowment, from which our university Health Center was created.

Mission & Vision Statements

Sindecuse Mission Statement

The Sindecuse Health Center provides high-quality university health services to enhance the health of students, employees, and the greater community through education, compassionate care, leadership, and the coordination of resources.

Sindecuse Vision Statement

The Sindecuse Health Center, utilizing coordinated health services, will provide efficient and effective services that meet the ever changing physical, social, cultural, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual needs of the Western Michigan University community, in a state-of-the-art facility, while maintaining a healthy, safe, and supportive work environment.

WMU Mission & Vision

If you enjoyed reading the statements above, you may also be interested in the University's mission and vision, both of which can be found here.

AAAHC Accreditation

Sindecuse Health Center maintains accreditation under the stringent standards set by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. – effective for a period of three years.

Why Being Accredited Matters

We strive to provide quality health care for the WMU community, and undergo this accreditation process to ensure we continually improve our the delivery of quality health care. As it has been for over four decades, accreditation is the highest form of public recognition a health care organization can receive for the quality of care it provides.

Patient Confidentiality

The confidentiality of your visit and your medical records are essential to providing the highest quality health care. Visits to the Health Center are absolutely confidential and are completely separate from the rest of your University records. Under penalty of law, your medical records or any information about you may only be released with your authorization, except in certain cases specified by law. Health care providers are required by law to report certain communicable diseases (e.g., measles). When a student develops a reportable communicable disease, we must provide this information to the Michigan Department of Public Health.

If your home town physician or a medical specialist you may be seeing requests a copy of your Sindecuse Health Center medical record, you must sign an authorization before we can send it. Learn more.

Patient Rights

You have the right...

To be treated with dignity and respect regardless of your race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age or physical ability.
To expect confidentiality except when reporting is required by law.
To know the identity and professional title of those providing your care.
To receive health education that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
To participate in decisions involving your health care unless such participation is inadvisable for medical reasons.
To refuse service to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the potential consequences of such actions.
To know when your care would include experimental research and to refuse participation.
To select the clinician of your choice.
To be given a comprehensive explanation of the need for, and alternatives to, being referred or transferred to another health care facility if it is medically appropriate.
To receive an explanation of any charges incurred at the Health Center.

You are responsible for...

Treating Health Center staff with consideration and respect.
Establishing a working relationship with a clinician of your choice.
Knowing the identity and professional title of those providing your care.
Making an appointment whenever possible.
Being on time for your appointment at the Health Center and canceling when necessary so that another patient can be seen during that time.
Providing a complete and accurate medical history as well as current concerns by:
- stating clearly what your health concerns are.
- being straightforward and honest about anything related to your health problems.
Telling your clinician about any changes in your health.
Participating in decision-making about your treatment.
Understanding your recommended treatment and completing treatment as indicated.
Knowing the name(s) of the medications(s) you are taking, their purpose, and reading any information that may be given out with your medication.
Notifying your clinician promptly when you are not responding to treatment.
Keeping follow-up appointments as instructed.
Communicating your concerns or satisfaction regarding treatment.

If you ever feel these rights have not been respected or if you have other concerns about your experiences at the Health Center, please let us know by completing a "comments" form in the health center or online, or indicating to a staff member that you wish to voice a concern. You will be directed to the appropriate person. We care about your concerns and want to provide you with the best care possible.

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