Alan Glass loves being a University administrator, but his passion is helping students. “I’m incredibly happy when the exam room door closes and it’s just me and the student and I’m their physician,” said Glass, M.D., director of the Student Health and Counseling Service.
Though Glass spends much of his time managing the 50 employees of the Student Health and Counseling Service and the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, it’s that connection with students that really excites him.
“I think there is great value to seeing students as much as I can,” Glass said. “It helps me to better understand the workings of our medicine service, and it gives a more accurate picture of how smoothly things are running. Plus, I just enjoy being around the students.”
Glass was born in Cheyenne, Wyo., but grew up in Minnesota. After earning a doctorate in medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1982, Glass completed a pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He then spent 13 years in the emergency department at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati, working mainly with children.
He made the move to college health 1998, joining Miami University in Ohio as associate director of student health services. He joined Washington University in January 2004.
“When I formally left clinical practice and moved into a more administrative role, I gave up doing something I very much loved — seeing patients — in order to do something for the greater good, which I see as enhancing the field of college health,” Glass said.
“I feel that at a lot of colleges and universities, students are really underserved related to their health needs. I left clinical medicine to enhance college health, and I think working at the University allows me to do that.”
Enhancing students’ success
Glass sees his role and the role of his office as supporting the academic mission of the University.
“The primary mission of the University is academics, and we are here to support that,” Glass said. “It’s well known that students can’t function at their optimal capacity if they’re not well.
“The primary focus of college health is the practice of medicine, mental health and health- promotion services within the context of the university community, enhancing students’ success and supporting the academic mission of our colleges and universities. We are here to support their physical and mental health and health-promotion needs in a way that allows them to succeed academically.”
As part of that mission, Glass hopes the Student Health and Counseling Service can continue to be more proactive on campus.
“Our goal is to promote a more proactive way of thinking where we provide significant health and wellness information and services so that ultimately we reach a point where we’ve been so good with the health promotion that few people need to use the acute services we offer,” he said. “We are a long way from that, but I think we’re getting closer.”
Glass said he would also like to increase the involvement of the Student Health and Counseling Service in broader campus issues.
“Alcohol is certainly a part of that,” he said. “While alcohol use and misuse is a health issue, it’s not just a health issue. It impacts a lot of different parts of campus life. We are trying to become more actively involved in prevention initiatives related to that.”
One change Glass has already initiated is extending the service’s hours of operation this year.
It is now open to serve students from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The previous hours were 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
“The weekend hours are a real enhancement,” Glass said. “Student Health Services must be focused on the health and wellness needs of students, which means we need to take every opportunity we can to assess their needs and adapt to those needs.”
The majority of students who come into the service do so for common maladies, Glass said. Those include colds, sore throat, coughs, allergies, urinary tract infections and abdominal pain, as well as back pain, broken bones, strains and sprains.
On the mental health side, he sees a fair amount of depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorders.
Student use of the service has skyrocketed in recent years.
“The University was very forward-thinking several years ago when it instituted a student health fee that includes mandatory health insurance,” Glass said.
“After that policy was enacted, our visits pretty much doubled, since we are now the students’ primary-care provider.”
Glass works with a number of talented individuals who are in charge of maintaining the health of University’s student body.
Student Health Services employs 32 people, Mental Health Services employs 14 and four work in Health Promotion and Wellness.
Though only on campus a short time, Glass has impressed his colleagues.
“I truly enjoy working with Alan,” said Deb Harp, associate director of the Student Health Services.
“He is an excellent administrator and physician who loves working with students. He is truly dedicated to the profession of college health and that dedication is making a difference on our campus for the health and well-being of the University community.”
Dedication to the field
There are several parts of Glass’ job that he finds particularly rewarding.
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Alan Glass Title: Director of University Health and Counseling Service Years at WUSTL: 1.5 Hobbies: His dogs, cooking, traveling and computers Quote: “The primary mission of the University is academics, and we are here to support that. It’s well-known that students can’t function at their optimal capacity if they’re not well. The primary focus of college health is the practice of medicine, mental health and health promotion services within the context of the university community, enhancing students’ success and supporting the academic mission of our colleges and universities. We are here to support their physical and mental health and health promotion needs in a way that allows them to succeed academically.” |
“I still get incredible fulfillment from actually seeing students as their doctor,” he said. “It’s also very rewarding to have the opportunity to work with such a great group of dedicated student health professionals. All of them are so dedicated to the field of college health and working with our students.
“I also enjoy the opportunity to work with faculty and other staff members throughout the University. The WUSTL community is an amazing group of scholars, and to be involved in that is a true privilege.”
Glass said he loves the University and is thrilled he had opportunity to work here.
“Alan is a talented physician and national leader in the field of student health,” said Karen Levin Coburn, assistant vice chancellor for students and dean for the freshman transition.
“His commitment to creating a healthy campus environment, as well as to the health of individual students, is apparent in everything he does. Al’s sense of humor is already legendary on campus, making him a sought-after speaker who can convey challenging information in an accessible and effective manner.”
Since arriving on campus, Glass has been intently focused on his position — developing plans for his office and getting familiar with the University community. But he does have time for a few hobbies outside of work.
“I love to travel and cook,” he said. “I love living in St. Louis. It’s a great city in the sense that it’s pretty urban but manageable. There’s a lot to do here. I also enjoy computers and my dogs.”