USC Engemann Student Health Center

Coming here was an absolute waste of time. COMPLETELY USELESS, they will not tell you anything you do not already know. I took a picture of my bloody, incredibly large phlegm (size about half of my thumb) that wouldn’t even go down the sink because it was so large. My friend said it looked like I coughed up part of my lung. When I showed the doctor the picture, he basically SCOFFED at me and replied «oh you’re fine.» I mean am I really fine when I’m coughing up blood, not to mention I’ve been sick for 2 weeks and had a high fever twice in these two weeks?
So he just went on to say that «it’s flu season, you just have a cold.» He didn’t prescribe me anything, he just said «take some over the counter pills and drink plenty of fluids.» I went on to ask him «then why am I coughing up blood» and his simple response was «oh it’s just phlegm,» then took a look at my throat and said «It’s inflamed. You just got sick from one of your friends. You’ll be fine!» and just left. Just like that. (Turns out I have bronchitis, for anyone wondering).
Oh, and did I mention, he strolled in with a USC shirt… wasn’t even wearing a doctor’s coat? LOL how unprofessional is that. Who wears a shirt and jeans with a stethoscope haha was I even seeing a doctor?
It’s such a shame that we pay such a high tuition every year, yet they return the favor by hiring «doctors» like these. I wonder if they’re even certified…
P. S. They have made no improvement since the last time I’ve been here. Previously, when I tore a ligament in my foot, they told me I broke a bone and needed to get surgery. SOME DOCTORS THEY HAVE HERE.

Almost every time I’ve been to Engemann (and I’ve paid several visits), the treatment I received has only made whatever illness I’ve had worse. One of my friends was even hospitalized for a few days shortly after Engemann sent her home from her appointment without diagnosing the strep she pretty clearly had.
Last semester, I got what felt like a bad cold/​cough during week one, and when I hadn’t gotten better for 3 MONTHS, I finally gave up and resorted to Engemann (I’m telling you, I avoid the place at all costs). When I finally saw a doctor, she confirmed all my reservations about the place. Again.
After explaining my symptoms and the duration of the illness, she literally LAUGHED at me and said, «Honey, you just have a cold like everyone else on this campus. Have some chicken soup.»
Umm…ok???
Obviously I had waited until things got pretty bad before I even tried Engemann, and by the time I got home and saw an actual doctor a month later in December, I had only gotten worse – and surprise! He discovered (in 90 seconds) that I had had a sinus infection… SINCE AUGUST. And since it had gone untreated so long, I was developing nodes on my vocal chords. Great. Now I’m looking at several months for my vocal chords to heal.
Bottom line: Seek alternate treatment, or get the same health advice you’d get from your grandma (if she was a condescending person who didn’t actually care about you at all)

From my experience, the acute care never solves the problem. If you really want to help, see specific doctor, book an appointment online ahead of time and come to the second floor.
As previous reviews have mentioned, some doctors here are very rude and inconsiderate. I went in to see a gynetologist, I asked her how can you differentiate a virus from none virus for purpose of self monitoring, she said «oh, cuz I went to 10 years of medical school and years as doctor.»
Woww! Nobody is questioning your education and knowledge! I am simply asking because the patient is scared and want to equip herself to come in early, only for the sake of self-​diagnose in case next appointment with you doesn’t happen before new virus arise.
A doctor should educate the patient on their health and how to recognize symptoms. I was very disappointed with her response. Also, before she treated my virus, she did not inform me the side effects or verify with me if I was okay with them. Assuming that I don’t know anything and don’t need to know anymore, she applied an strong acid on me that left me with burnt scars.
I gave 2 stars because I did receive treatment and the wait was not too bad since I booked it ahead of time. But it is evident that my story explains why the other 3 were vacant.

My girlfriend saw an urgent care doctor today and they made it clear they really aren’t concerned with your health. Although she went through many questions and got her vitals taken by the nurse, the doctor refused to read the notes. Instead he made her answer all the same questions and recall her vital measurements. He told her sounds like your sick and told her to try over the counter medicines. Either he’s incompetent or doesn’t listen, but either way he recommended medicine that wouldn’t even treat her symptoms. Even though she’s been unable to eat or sleep well due to pain, he refused to spend even 30 seconds trying to figure out what was wrong. He basically said come back if you are really sick as if her current symptoms didn’t qualify. Also when she called by phone they were the ones who said her symptoms were urgent enough that she should come in that day. Basically come here if you’re looking for absolute incompetence and poor care.

Avoid if at all possible. I’m a grad student and the health insurance plan USC provides forces me to come here. The doctors here make me doubt the American medical system. Some obviously don’t care, while others are completely incompetent. The first time I came for a routine obgyn appointment, I was pressured into getting an STI/​STD test despite knowing I did not need one. The doctor just kept referring to secret chlamydia and how I can’t trust anyone. The whole thing was uncomfortable and out of line. Furthermore, he refused to renew my prescription for birth control (that I’d been on for 5 years) because he wanted to personally discuss my medication and other circumstances for 1 hour in a separate appointment. After running out of there as fast as possible, my lab mates told me they avoid this doctor at all costs as he always makes things awkward, uncomfortable, and difficult.
My next appointment was to get treatment for something that has been an ongoing issue for years. Despite me telling the doctor of this, they seemed skeptical and refused to use a rapid test. So after waiting several days, she finds that I was right and I have a pretty bad infection, but I’ve had to go without the medication for a few days.
My most recent experience, however, was the worst. Not only did the doctor refuse to look at the nurses notes, making me repeat everything, he didn’t even thoroughly examine me. He asked me a few questions and then said it sounds like you’re sick. He suggested an over the counter medication that didn’t make sense (obviously he wasn’t listening) and left after 1 minute. I don’t live close by so dragging myself over there was a huge pain since I’m sick. He didn’t address the fact that eating and sleeping are really difficult right now due to the illness. Instead, he just said come back if you’re really sick (fever, blood coming out) as if I wasn’t sick then. The worst part was when I called in with my symptoms they said it was important I come in right away. So I rushed over to have hours of my life wasted. Today I’m more sick and I called back but they can’t help me because I don’t feel well enough to drive myself over. I asked for a referral to a doctor closer to me and they refused. They won’t attempt to prescribe me anything over the phone (which is more understandable) but they won’t enable me to see another doctor besides them. After my experience yesterday, I know not to expect anything. The lady on the phone told me either drag my sick self in or call 911, as if that’s a reasonable option. So I guess I’ll just suffer.
So thanks USC health center for once again showing that you are the ABSOLUTE WORST option around.

The Student Health Center is the WORST facility I’ve ever been to. I’m here quite often since I’m always sick and don’t have time to see a REAL doctor, and almost every time they either misdiagnose me or make me come back weeks later, when the illness has already progressed to the point that I am bedridden. I was once misdiagnosed with a virus when I had bronchitis, and it turned into a severe pneumonia that took a month to get rid of.
The health center is slow, inconsiderate and the worst health care I’ve ever experienced. Some of the doctors are also rude and act like they hate their jobs. If you can, avoid the health center at ALL costs. And come with an appointment made online, if you have to come at all. Or blood coming out of your eye sockets.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the health center is: disappointment. Pure and utter disappointment. Not entirely disappointing, but pretty low. I’ve come to the student health center on a number of occasions, when I got the flu, came to check up for STI/​STDs, a general physical, mental health resources, etc. I always find that the general practitioners there tend to be pretty rude to their patients. It’s disappointing because students are dealing with very, very personal and challenging issues, and when doctors present themselves as haughty, pretentious and condescending, it is hard to open to them. I’ve had numerous occasions coming in for an STI/​STD check-​up and the doctor’s would always question my gay «lifestyle,» and instead of informing me thoroughly and in a caring manner. I would literally leave the student health center feeling horrible about myself.
There was also an instant I came in for a skin rash and was curious if it was due to a side-​effect from my medication I was taking. The doctor came in and acted like this issue wasn’t even worth his time. He rudely asked me what I’m trying to explain and just glanced over it and told me that I need to seek a dermatologist and proceeded to leave. I thought that was just incredibly rude how he went about it. He couldn’t even refer to a dermatologist at the health center. In terms of mental health, this place is truly a hit or miss. I’ve seen some of the LCSWs here and some have been extremely helpful, but they tend to refer you to shady psychiatrists. Make sure to get you referred to someone who is willing to actually help you out and not just prescribing you adderall for quick cash!
Overall, I’ve stopped coming here altogether this past year. I’ve been seeking other spots that take Aetna student insurance. Be really careful about this place. You can run into a lot of nasty people who lack empathy and sympathy.

Only come here if you have absolutely no other options. I’ve been here a few times and have had way too many problems. I’m allergic to penicillin and specifically told this to a nurse, but then he didn’t write it down. Luckily the doctor asked! Another time I came in for an appointment for a procedure that the doctor had ordered for me, but she had forgotten to write the order for the procedure in my file. I had to wait around for almost half an hour for them to track her down and come see me AGAIN before they could do the procedure. I have no idea what would have happened if she hadn’t been there.
Finally, I was just twenty minutes late for an appointment and was told I couldn’t be seen today. Which would be understandable, except that I called and told them I would be that late, and they told me to go ahead and come anyway. So I just wasted a whole bunch of time coming here for NOTHING.
In summary, I’ve been here three times and had some sort of problem every single time. Incompetent doctors and staff. Don’t waste your time coming here, you’ll regret it!

Worst ever dont even bother coming here.
Made me wait 2 hours before telling me theres an emergency of some sort, but i see doctors just chilling in the hallways laughing. I cant believe this is what my tuition is paying for, all i needed was an xray of my back. The doctor that sent me to the xray came and checked on me for less than a minute after the 2 hour wait. Absolute garbage, makes me embarrassed to be Trojan.

Engemann is hit or miss. I’ve had some mediocre doctors and I’ve also had some stellar doctors here.
Once, I had an allergic reaction that led to a skin rash. The doctor told me that my shampoo or conditioner could be the source of my rash. To which I replied, «I’ve been using the same shampoo for years. Is it possible to have an allergic reaction now?»
Doctor: You students seem to believe that you can’t develop an allergic reaction later on in life.
Whoaaa, whoaaa. Blanket statements? What do you mean by «you students?» Are we all the same?

Worst Experiences here… First I had a doctor fail to send in a very much needed inhaler before she left for the day! I have asthma and I was on the verge of an attack… hence why I went! Then now this! I go to my appointment and they cancel it due to lack of time to see me! Whhat! Do I get 20 dollars for your failure to provide my scheduled appointment?! I drove here and paid for parking! The building… it’s a building… what matters is the people and quality of service… and it’s bad, go somewhere else if you can!

Beautiful building, friendly and quick service, clean and professional. This is a huge improvement over the old health center, and the walk-​in weekend service is extremely convenient.

Wow this place knocked my socks off!
I used to live at Webb tower and there was nothing but an old parking lot in the area where this new student health center currently sits. They sure made great use of the space! A new health center was DESPERATELY need by the USC community so I’m so glad that our school finally found the money and space to get it done. I am extremely pleased with the results, this building is so brand spanking new and fancy I was a bit overwhelmed since I had gotten used to the old, crummy health center near the University Church.
Second floor is usually where students go for normal medical services. You can speak with the lady behind the desk or you can check yourself in at the kiosks across from the reception desk. You can even swipe your USC card and it will bring up your appointment! LEGIT. The nurses and doctors were all really nice, and all the examination rooms are new and clean. I was very happy with the service I received, and a new pharmacy is now located in parking structure B right across from the center. Two thumbs way up!

Bottom line at the top: GORGEOUS new facility.
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Honestly the new health center is amazing. Gorgeous. The waiting area is much more spacious (l literally used to wait down the hallway at the previous center since the area was soo small and I was not keen on picking up other people’s coughs/​sneezes/​whatever was wrong with them).
As long as you come in before 7:00 PM on the dot they will take you in which is so considerate. Don’t bank on coming in after that because the CSC guards stand outside the doors at that point.
Fight on, engemann health center :)