Student Health & Wellness

Counseling Center 

The Counseling Center offers free, confidential counseling services to all students actively enrolled at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Aside from supporting mental health and promoting personal growth and well-being, the Counseling Center also provides educational programs and outreach activities designed to enhance wellness across the campus community. Services and programs include: 

• Vaqueros Crisis Line - Group Counseling   

• Collegiate Recovery Program - BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening & Intervention for College Students)   

• CASICS (Cannabis Screening & Intervention for College Students) 

• My Student Support Program (for students out of state)   

• Groups - Various Therapy and Support Groups held each semester   

• Body Project – to build a sense of positivity regarding one’s body   

• Brief Supportive Counseling (short-term counseling)   

• Individual Counseling - Couple’s Counseling   

Edinburg - EUCTR 109 | 956-665-2574 

Brownsville - BSTUN 2.10 | 956-882-3897   

You can also email us with any questions or concerns, or to get the process started in making an appointment: counseling@utrgv.edu  

Student Health Services 

The main goal at UT Health RGV Student Health is to meet your health care needs so that you can focus and achieve your academic goals. Office visits are free of charge, and we provide the same types of services as your family doctor, plus much more. 

General Medicine: Students with common medical issues are diagnosed and treated on a walk-in basis. However, appointments are required for elective procedures. Referrals to external providers are made as needed. 

Physical Exams: UTRGV students requiring a physical exam prior to admittance to a school program can have a physical exam done at UT Health RGV Student Health for a nominal fee. Call UT Health RGV Student Health to schedule an appointment.   

Pharmacy: A fully licensed Class D Pharmacy is conveniently available. The pharmacy carries both prescription and over-the-counter medications. The costs of medications are greatly reduced compared to retail prices.   

Laboratory: A full-service, cost-effective lab is equipped to perform routine procedures and specimen collections, with more advanced tests sent to a reference lab for analysis. 

Immunization: MMR, TD, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Meningitis, and flu vaccines are available. TB skin testing is also offered.   

Women’s Wellness Clinics: These services include PAP smears, family planning education and counseling, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing, and other women's health issues.   

Other Services: Health Education resources, nutritional counseling, vision screenings, weight and blood pressure screenings are also available.   

UT Health RGV Student Health (Edinburg) 613 North Sugar Road Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2511   

UT Health RGV Student Health (Brownsville) Cortez Hall, Suite 237 Brownsville, Texas 78520 Phone: (956) 882-3896   

24-Hour Nurse Advice Line (855) 810-4457   

Email: healthservices@utrgv.edu  

Health Insurance  

All podiatric medicine students are required to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for each academic year to satisfy the University policy of maintaining acceptable health insurance coverage. Students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the SHIP.  

The waiver process must be completed each year by the waiver deadline. Students who do not submit a waiver request or whose waiver submission is not approved will be automatically enrolled for the SHIP, and the cost of the insurance coverage will be added to their student account. The cost of the SHIP for the 2025-2026 academic year is $3,438. For more information about the waiver, please visit: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Podiatric Medicine | Waiver (myahpcare.com) 

Student Disability Insurance  

While the UTRGV SOPM does not require students to have long-term disability insurance, it is recommended.