On-Campus Health Center

Overview

Soka's on-campus Health Center provides outpatient services to help students maintain optimal health. A California-licensed medical practitioner will provide medical services when you are ill and provide preventive health services when you are well. We encourage you to use these services.

The Health Center also supports outreach and educational programs that promote preventative health practices and enhance the wellness of the entire campus. The Health Center is staffed and managed by California licensed medical practitioners from South Coast Medical Group (SCMG), a Family Practice /Urgent Care center near the Soka campus in Aliso Viejo, California.

All current Soka students may visit the Health Center at no cost, regardless of a student's health insurance plan. Patients are usually seen on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. However, students with more urgent needs may be seen sooner. We encourage all patients with more predictable health care needs (examinations, medication refills, older injuries, or long-term health problems) to make an appointment.

On-Campus Health Center

The Clinic is staffed by a California-licensed medical practitioner from South Coast Medical Group.

  • Location and Contact Information

    Student Center, 4th Floor, Room 409 (directly above the Mailroom)

    Email: HealthCenter@soka.edu  |  Phone: (949) 480-4143

  • Hours

    Monday-Friday | 9:00am-5:00pm

    Saturday-Sunday | CLOSED

    University Holidays; Winter, Spring, Summer Breaks | CLOSED

Our Staff

The staff at the Health Center includes several medical doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants. Different providers are scheduled throughout the week in the Soka Health Center. This allows students with regularly scheduled appointments to work with a provider who best connects with them. Below are two of our health care providers. Click on each name to learn more about them.

SHANNON O'CONNOR, M.D.

Specialties: Family & Women's Health

CHARDONNAY SHINN, MSPA, PA-C

Specialties: Family Health

Medical Emergencies

If you face a life-threatening emergency on or off campus dial 911. If you are on campus, also call Campus Security at (949) 480-4100 and notify your Residence Hall Staff while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

Referrals

If your condition requires you to see a specialist or schedule certain types of appointments (x-rays, CT scan, etc.), our Health Center staff will work with you to identify local care options that work best with your particular health insurance.

Other Health Related Question

Not all health-related needs require an appointment. If you have a few general questions, you can also email them to HealthCenter@soka.edu or call 949-480-4143 during business hours to connect with staff who can answer your questions.

For emergencies or for urgent medical needs when the urgent care center is closed

Here are two nearby hospitals who have Emergency Rooms open 24 hours a day:

Saddleback Memorial Medical Center

  • Emergency Department
    • Location: 24451 Health Center Drive, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
    • Phone: (949) 364-1400

Mission Hospital

  • Emergency Department
    • Location: 27700 Medical Center Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
    • Phone: (949) 364-1400

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's an urgent care condition?

    An urgent care condition is not as serious as an emergency, but you need to obtain care as soon as possible. Some examples are chronic back pain, fever, headache, severe skin rash, and persistent cough. We use the South Coast Medical Group Urgent Care for after-hour/weekend services.

    South Coast Medical Group Urgent Care

    • Location: 5 Journey #130, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
    • Phone: (949) 360-1069
    • Hours:
      • Monday-Friday | 8am-7pm
      • Saturday | 9am-3pm
      • Sunday | 10am-3pm

  • What conditions require a visit to the Emergency Room?

    A true medical emergency is the sudden and unexpected onset of a condition in which delay in treatment would endanger your health or life. Some examples are difficulty breathing, broken bones, excessive bleeding, suspected heart attack, unconsciousness, severe burns, car accident, back or neck injury, severe allergic reaction involving respiratory distress, drug or alcohol overdose, mental distress, shock, and severe stomach pain.

  • Who is  eligible for health services?

    All Soka students are eligible for care at the on-campus clinic at no cost. Students with waived insurance (having insurance other than Soka insurance) are required to bring a copy of their insurance card (front and back) to the Health Center. If lab, radiology, or a physician visit is needed, a student will be referred to their primary care physician or our supervising physician. Health Center staff can assist students with finding an appropriate, nearby provider.

  • When do I need to make an appointment

    Patients are usually seen on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. However, students with more urgent needs may be seen sooner. We encourage all patients with more predictable health care needs (examinations, medication refills, older injuries, or long-term health problems) to make an appointment.

  • How does the Health Center promote health and wellness?

    We support and contribute to health education programs sponsored by Student Services. These programs might include social education/STD, nutrition/eating disorders, reproductive health, dermatology/sun protection, muscle/skeletal-body mechanics, life support (CPR), and health maintenance (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.).

  • Is my medical Information Private?

    The privacy of your medical information is important to us. We understand that your medical information is personal and we are committed to protecting it. All medical information in the Health Center is confidential and is protected under FERPA.

  • Do I need health insurance?

    All Soka students must have health insurance. Soka offers health insurance through Anthem Blue Cross. All international students are required to purchase Soka's health insurance. Domestic students may waive the health insurance fee by submitting a waiver and providing a current copy of the student's insurance card.

    You must annually submit a Health Insurance Election/Waiver form to indicate whether you will be enrolling in or waiving Soka's health insurance. These are usually due in May. If you are waiving, you must submit a copy of your health insurance card. Otherwise you will automatically be enrolled in Soka's health insurance.

    If your family encounters an event in which you lose health insurance coverage, please contact us immediately to enroll in our Soka health insurance.

Contact Us!

Email: Healthcenter@soka.edu
 P: (949) 480-4143

Student Center
4th Floor, Room 409
Directly above the Mailroom

E: jmonahan@soka.edu
P:

On-Campus Health Center

1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, California, 92656
United States