The UCLy Health Center, made up of several services, supports students in their daily lives regarding all aspects of health — physical, mental, and social.
Discover the testimony of Marie-Charlotte BOURDEL, the university physician at UCLy, who shares her perspective on the various forms of assistance and resources offered by this division, of which she is the head.
Hello, I am Doctor Marie-Charlotte BOURDEL, a physician at the Catholic University of Lyon. After completing a traditional course in general medicine, I decided to focus on preventive medicine at UCLy, where I now support students in their overall health.
Could you describe what preventive medicine is?
Preventive medicine is structured around three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. At UCLy, we focus primarily on primary prevention, which means taking action upstream to prevent the onset of diseases among students. In concrete terms, this means raising awareness of key issues affecting their daily health: sleep-wake balance to prevent disorders linked to lack of rest, sexual health, balanced diet, and stress management. Our goal? To give them the keys to maintaining their life balance and overall well-being.
The Health Center encompasses other services offered to our students. Could you tell us more?
The UCLy Health Center brings together several complementary services dedicated to students’ well-being:
• A psychologist provides the Point Écoute service. They do not conduct psychotherapy but offer guidance to students facing difficulties, particularly during the sometimes challenging transition from high school to university life. This role is essential in preventing isolation or uneasiness.
• A nurse is available on campus for daily consultations and to conduct health check-ups. Although not a doctor, she can assess students’ health and refer them to the appropriate professionals if necessary..
• A midwife offers gynecological consultations for young women — at an age when taking care of one’s health is especially important.
• A Disability Support Officer, a central component of the Health Center: she supports students with disabilities to promote their academic success by implementing appropriate adjustments during classes and exams. The goal? To ensure that everyone has the same opportunities for success.
• Finally, as the university physician, I meet with students throughout their studies, ideally in their first year, to assess their general health (physical, psychological, social). This check-up allows me to detect any medical conditions or disabilities and refer them to the appropriate support services.
Why is it important for students to have access to all these services?
Access to these services is crucial for students because they are often far from home. They no longer have contact with their regular doctor. If they ever have a health concern, they don't know who to turn to. They find it easier to come to us.
Most students are young, apparently healthy, and not used to seeing a doctor. By welcoming them for preventive consultations, we can identify disorders or vulnerabilities at an early stage and refer them to the necessary care or support before the situation worsens.
What would you say to our international students, who may not naturally think to come see you?
Know that you are welcome at the UCLy health center, without reservation. We are here to support you regardless of your country of origin or your level of French.
We understand that the language barrier can sometimes seem intimidating, but rest assured: we have IT tools to facilitate communication and make our exchanges smooth. Don't let this apprehension prevent you from coming to see us—on the contrary, your health is our priority.
Don't hesitate, come and meet us—we are here to listen to you and help you feel good, both physically and mentally, throughout your studies.
To go even further
Founded in 1875, the Catholic University of Lyon is celebrating its 149th birthday in 2024 ! Open on the world and in tune with social evolutions, UCLy has kept growing, creating new programs and sponsoring research at the crossroad between science and humanities.
