成人头条

Marilyn Yourdon has built a reputation of service in many facets on the 成人头条 State campus since 1981. After 16 years as director of Student Health Services (SHS), Yourdon is retiring. Full retirement will have to wait for a time though, because she has agreed to work part-time until a replacement is named this fall.

Those who know her say she鈥檚 been a perfect fit for student health because of her caring nature.

Throughout her career at with SHS, Yourdon has worked with countless faculty and staff, built relationships with students and given back to the campus and community. She has completed mission trips, giving medical attention to people in need all over the globe and helping to teach English in other countries.

Now, Yourdon鈥檚 years of service are coming full circle as she retires earlier than expected to care for her ailing elderly mother.

鈥淪he has worked to provide health services that students need and provided them at a cost that students and their parents could afford. She has worked on behalf of students as the WSU representative to the Student Insurance Advisory Committee, and helped to ensure that students had quality coverage at the best price possible.

鈥淢arilyn has also served the entire campus community as a representative of the campus crisis committee. She is a resource for the entire 成人头条 community and has used her expertise to help plan for pandemics and other emergencies that affect the state, region and nation. Marilyn has been a tremendous representative of 成人头条,鈥� said Robinson.

Overcoming obstacles

Yourdon has worked hard to show students the convenience of Student Health Services, whose purpose is to provide WSU students comprehensive, easily accessible and affordable outpatient health care.

鈥淪tudents are who we are serving,鈥� said Yourdon. 鈥淲e do what we can do to provide the service at their convenience. We try to help and teach students what is a good health habit 鈥� of calling and making their appointment and being proactive in their health. We may help them be better at securing their health care issues once they leave the campus. We can help them be better stewards and people of action to take care of themselves.鈥�

Yourdon said SHS continues to overcome obstacles. One of those is correcting students鈥� misconceptions of Student Health. SHS must also work to inform students about its services and what is offered.

鈥淔or years I鈥檝e heard students say, 鈥業 thought you had students working on students,鈥欌�� said Yourdon. 鈥淲e are all professionals here. The other thing is, would you know Student Health is here if you were new to campus? We have to tell our story and who we are.鈥�

Yourdon said the staff at SHS is supportive and respectful, focusing on how to improve the program. The diverse opinions of the staff help evolve the decisions.

'A sense of well-being'

Yourdon was most proud of staff during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, working quickly with other departments with H1N1 vaccinations for students, faculty and staff.

鈥淚 had a sense of well-being with what we truly tried to do. We worked hard to get it to the residence halls and different campus sites 鈥� trying to get it out there for as many opportunities for people to get the vaccine,鈥� she said.

Yourdon also was pleased when SHS announced the remodeling of the clinic for more private checkouts. Students had been concerned about the level of privacy when checkouts took place in the waiting area.

She felt satisfaction because students like to know that someone is listening to their needs and concerns.

Yourdon, a WSU alumna, said she will always be linked to the university. She plans to stay connected through Wu Crew, a group of students, faculty and community members dedicated to community service. One way she plans to stay involved is by serving on a team with the Lord鈥檚 Diner.

鈥淚 think I鈥檓 going to always have a connection. I think there will be a connection because I realize the significance of the university,鈥� said Yourdon. 鈥淚 realize there are lots of opportunities to serve and it will never stop having opportunities. This university has been a part of so much of my life.鈥�

Yourdon is a recent recipient of a President鈥檚 Award. She received the Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award, which is awarded to a professional who models the standard of extraordinary service.

鈥淚 told my staff the next director is going to be a great person. They are going to move this department beyond and further beyond what I could ever dream,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have to keep opening those doors and walking through them, and I hope Student Health does.鈥�