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Student Health Advisory Committee

The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) provides a student voice in health center operations, promotes a positive and open channel of communication between the UHC staff and the student body, and contributes additional awareness of student issues to the health center administration.

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History and Mission

The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is composed of students from various academic backgrounds and campus-community involvements. SHAC meets bi-monthly at the Health Center and is led by Jen Swails, Interim Executive Director of the Health Center and Steven Rose, Marketing and Communications Manager.

Since the health center is funded primarily by student fees, SHAC represents the student voice for health matters. The purpose of SHAC is to:

Promote a positive and open channel of communication between UHC staff and the student body
Increase personal knowledge of UHC operations and scope of services
Address student health concerns
Provide input into the provision of health services
Foster overall health and wellbeing of UGA students
Increase knowledge of the mandatory fee proposal process

Additionally, each semester, SHAC develops and commits to various projects. These have ranged from collecting satisfaction survey data from students who visit the health center to distributing complimentary resources (i.e. sunscreen and traveling safety tips) to students during the safe spring break campaign.

SHAC members have served on search committees for professional staff vacancies at the health center, developed and presented seminars to the entire health center staff, and served on other internal and external committees (Diversity Committee–internal; Campus Suicide Prevention Task Force–external) as student representatives. SHAC is just one of many factors that make the University Health Center a student-centered facility that truly offers excellence in college health care.

Current SHAC Projects

Health Literacy:

COVID Vaccine Facts Myths — YouTube, 3/19/21

I’ve been tested for COVID…now what? — YouTube, 10/27/20

FreshCheckDayUGA 2020 Welcome — YouTube, 8/13/20

SHAC: COVID-19 and How It Spreads — YouTube, 7/22/20

Apply to be a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee — Instagram, 2/10/21

Breaking the Barriers: An Interfaith Panel Discussion Watch the event video! The panel of eight students, each representing different religious and belief systems, aimed to increase awareness, acceptance, and inclusivity of all people with different beliefs across campus while providing a safe space to share and increase the transmission of knowledge.

CPR Awareness To emphasize the importance of CPR and make training more accessible & affordable to students

Outreach To develop fun and interactive ways to keep students up to date on UHC’s events & services

Social Media To grow UHC’s presence on facebook, twitter, & other social networks in order to better reach students

How to Become a Member

The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is a group of dedicated students that act as a liaison between the University Health Center and the student population. The committee is made up of students representing a wide range of interests and backgrounds. Any undergraduate student is encouraged to apply. Members are expected to attend ALL meetings that are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:15pm and to participate in outside support projects. Members will serve at least one year, preferably two. Once a member is selected, he/she may remain on SHAC until graduation.

Members, 2021-2022

Amitesh Anerao

Class Year: 2023
Major: Biology with a minor in Spanish
Hometown: Johns Creek, GA
Hobbies: Weightlifting, tennis, chess
What I enjoy most about the Health Center: I love how accessible it is for students and the wide variety of resources they offer!
Favorite quote: “Work hard in silence and let success be your noise.”