Care students can count on

Balancing exam schedules, extracurriculars and personal life can make it difficult for students to prioritize wellness. Fortunately, Lafene Health Center serves as a comprehensive network of care, offering everything from routine medicine to specialized rehabilitation.

For many students living away from home for the first time, a sudden illness during the school year can be immediately overwhelming. Lafene offers compassionate professionalism from frontline nursing and medical staff, turning a stressful moment into a manageable one.

Lafene’s mission extends beyond treating acute illness. Specialized departments, like the physical therapy team or the allergy and immunization clinic, work directly with students recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions. The full-service lab and pharmacy make it convenient to get quick test results and prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. This individualized attention bridges the gap between clinical treatment and a full return to active campus life.

The impact is reflected in what students say about their care.

“I enjoyed my provider so much that I wish I could continue seeing her as my provider after I graduate!” one student shared through a patient satisfaction survey.

Physical wellness is only half the equation

Through Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, students receive confidential, compassionate support based on their individual clinical needs. CAPS and TimelyCare provide a short-term, solution-focused model that helps students navigate challenges, strengthen coping skills and connect with additional resources when needed.

“My therapist has been very helpful for the past few years I’ve been with him,” one CAPS student shared. “He always made me feel safe to talk about what was bothering me, and I’m glad I’ve gotten to work with him.”

By blending accessible, top-quality medical care with deep empathy, Lafene Health Center provides the foundation K-State students need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Behind every student interaction is an extensive framework designed to support that experience. Lafene Health Center and CAPS recently earned reaccreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. AAAHC accreditation provides independent confirmation that the organization meets nationally recognized standards for ambulatory healthcare quality and safety.

For students and families, accreditation offers added assurance that the care provided on campus is supported by qualified professionals, reliable clinical and operational practices, and an ongoing commitment to evaluating and improving services.

“AAAHC reaccreditation provides independent confirmation of the standards our team works to uphold every day,” said Kara Fiske, executive director of Lafene Health Center and Counseling and Psychological Services. “For our students, those standards translate into safe, reliable, and compassionate care from professionals who are deeply committed to their well-being and success. The accreditation is an important achievement, but the most meaningful measure of our work is the experience of the students we serve.”

Because Lafene Health Center and CAPS are supported through the Student Services Fee, they provide an affordable primary healthcare point of contact. Whether a student needs treatment for an illness, help recovering from an injury, support during an emotionally difficult period or guidance in managing an ongoing health concern, Lafene Health Center and CAPS are here to help.

— Submitted by Shawn Funk