Health, Wellness, and Fatigue Mitigation Policy

 

Noorda-COM is committed to fostering an environment where student, faculty, and staff emotional, mental, and physical health are cultivated. Resources and activities related to mental health, wellness, and fatigue mitigation are provided to promote empowerment to take ownership of personal well-being.

Noorda-COM focuses on the eight dimensions of wellness:

  • Emotional
  • Environmental
  • Financial
  • Intellectual
  • Occupational
  • Physical
  • Social
  • Spiritual

Wellness Curriculum
As a component of the longitudinal Professional Identity Formation (PIF) course, students must document at least one hour of a wellness activity each week. Any activity related to any of the eight Noorda-COM wellness dimensions will be accepted as completion of this requirement.

Unstructured Time
Student unstructured time is inherently built into the curricular model, helping to maximize wellness opportunities and minimize fatigue. Didactic content is available asynchronously, allowing students the ability to define their own schedule. Structured activities, such as Clinical, OMM, Anatomy lab, are available at a variety of times to demonstrate student proficiency in the related skills. Elective content is available to students with personal interests in a desired specialty. Employee unstructured time provides faculty and staff flexibility in their schedules to pursue wellness and reduce fatigue.

Wellness Committee 
A wellness committee that includes students, faculty, and staff in collaboration with senior administration to support regular upkeep of wellness plans and programs, conducting wellness assessments of the college facilities, executing student, faculty, and staff wellness surveys, and upholding a community environment that supports wellness.

Student Physical Health Services
For non-urgent and minor health issues, Intermountain Health Connect Care, a virtual telehealth platform via an app is available 24/7 and guarantees connection to a provider in less than 10 minutes. For urgent healthcare needs, students may visit any Intermountain Health Instacare location. Physical health services may be scheduled by scanning the QR Code printed on the back of each student badge.

If you are experiencing a life-threating emergency outside of our clinic hours, call emergency services (911) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room and notify us of your treatment as soon as possible.

Student Mental Health Services
Students are provided with free and confidential mental health services through Headspace, by appointment, to help mitigate the academically rigorous environment of medical school. Students may self-refer or may be referred to counseling support services. If long-term treatment beyond the provided counseling support services is recommended, the student may be referred to a mental health specialist tailored to specific needs. Support services may be scheduled by scanning the QR Code printed on the back of each student badge.

Students are provided access to short-term therapy and counseling services. Issues that therapists/counselors may be able to help with include:

  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Eating disorders
  • Concerns about academic performance
  • Relationship problems
  • Family problems
  • Sexual concerns
  • Identity concerns

Headspace
Noorda-COM provides all student mental health services through Headspace, a nationwide program that provides mental health support accessible to every student, whether they are on campus or on clinical rotations. Headspace provides mindfulness tools, clinical behavioral psychologists, and psychiatry services all under one roof. This is a confidential service where appointments are offered at the most convenient times for busy medical student schedules. Students will have options from many different licensed counselors and psychiatrists as well as on-demand coaching any time of day to fit their needs. Crisis counseling services and referrals are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

UTAH STATE CRISISLINE (800) 273-TALK (8255) and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week 

Employee Wellness 
The Equitable Employee Assistance Program is available to Noorda-COM employees.

The Equitable Employee Assistance Program provides no-cost, confidential emotional support that can be accessed for life’s challenges. Highly trained clinicians from the EAP will listen to concerns and help the employee or immediate family members with a variety of issues and, if needed, refer to other resources. In addition to these emotional support services, the EAP provides assistance with work-life solutions, financial issues, identity theft concerns, legal guidance, and online will preparation.

This policy was reviewed and revised March 2026. To view the full policy please see the Catalog/Student Handbook. For assistance with policies and procedures, please contact Alexa Levine (alexa.levine@noorda.edu).