Issue date: 1/31/03 Section: News

Chastain

Seibert

Considerable changes from across the street have kept Hendrix busy this winter. The end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003 saw the hiring of two new staff members in the Health Services house--nurse Donna Chastain, A.P.N., and psychologist Mary Anne Seibert.

Chastain, Hendrix's new full-time director of Health Services, comes to the school from the Morrilton Medical Clinic. She is a licensed nurse practitioner, and is registered under the specialization 'family.' She is originally from Morrilton, Arkansas, and received both her bachelor's degree and master's in nursing from the University of Central Arkansas.

"Students, feel free to come by, and we'll take care of you," Chastain said.

Chastain described her job in caring for sick students as "assessing the situation and planning their care. I am able to write prescriptions and give shots," she said.

"I can teach students on wellness, promotion of good health, safety, whatever they need," she said. As for students' sexual health, Chastain said Health Services will continue to have free condoms and pamphlets for students if they need them.

Chastain's arrival at Hendrix early in the week of January 19, 2003, fills the vacancy for director of Health Services left by Nurse Joyce Alexander, who resigned her almost three-year position at Hendrix over winter break. According to Dr. Joyce Hardin, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, Alexander left Hendrix for a job managing medicines at Counseling Associates of Conway, which entails helping patients manage their medication.

Health Services is located in the white house on Washington Ave. across from the library. Appointments with the nurse can be made by contacting Kay Henry at 450-1448, but appointments are not necessary for treatment.

Also located in the white house is Hendrix's Counseling Services, which has also recently hired a new member. Mary Anne Seibert is now the full-time psychologist of Counseling Services. Seibert, who is a '94 Hendrix graduate, is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. She returned to Hendrix as a contract employee in March 2002 and was hired full time in early November 2002. Before returning to Hendrix, Seibert worked for Counseling Associates of Conway.

"The services in my office are completely confidential," Seibert said. "Students need to know that I don't talk to parents, staff, teachers, fellow students, anyone. All the files are always kept separate of a students' academic files, and any student is free to come," she said.

"There are a few exceptions to confidentiality, such as when a student threatens to harm themselves or others," she said, "but these few exceptions would apply to any clinic because it is mandated by the law."

Because Seibert is the only psychologist in Counseling Services, students can come to Seibert for short-term care, which means a maximum of 10 visits. "I'm certainly not going to cut anyone off, but if I think someone needs long-term care, I'd go ahead and refer them to someone I know in the community," she said.

As with Health Services, all meetings with Seibert are free. Appointments can be made by calling Kay Henry.

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