Janet Freeman walked into her outer office and spotted the three students fidgeting on the couch waiting for her. Once again regretted her decision to take on the role of vice-dean for student health at Three Hills College. She enjoyed teaching her nursing students so much more than all of the administrative duties that the new role entailed. Well, the pay increase was nice and it would get more interesting in a couple of years when they open the student health center.

This particular problem had been the bane of her existence for the last several weeks. Hopefully, after dealing with these three problem students, she would done with it for the year.

Three Hills College had always had requirements that new students prove their vaccine status was up to date and they have a college approved medical exam before starting, but it had never been strictly enforced. They had never really done much more than gently nag the students who did not file the proper paperwork.

That had changed. Last year two near by sister institutions had had measles outbreaks that had proved disruptive. The board had decided to enforce the regulations. Starting next quarter students in violation would not be able to register for classes.

Her office had spent the last few weeks helping out of compliance students get vaccine records, arrange exams, etc. These students were the final three. If she could get them into compliance, this would all be done until next year.

Gratefully taking the coffee from her secretary and glancing at the clock, she said "Gladys, hand me their files and give me 6 minutes to drink some of this coffee, then send all three of them in. If I deal with them together, I might make afternoon budget meeting on time."

Exactly six minutes later, Gladis ushered the 3 students in. There was Tom, a 20 year old Junior, Candis, a 19 year old sophmore, and Sara, an 18 year old freshman who looked about nervously.

"Sit. Sit all of you. Forgive me if I am a bit blunt. I have been running off half a bagel and about a gallon of coffee this morning and I have yet another meeting to go to shortly. I have solutions for you all, but I don't have time for all of the social niceties this morning."

"You three are the last students who have not fulfilled the health requirements. We have no vaccination records for you two" she said gesturing at Tom and Candis. "And you Sara, don't have your exam form done."

"Tom and Candis, am I correct that you still can't get your records from" looking down at the papers, "Dr. Stien's office?"

Tom spoke for them both. "Yes, ma'am. Most of records were destroyed in the fire at his office and with him being .... passed on, there is not much we can do."

"Since you don't have the records, you are going have to be revacinated."

Candis paled a little and involuntarily rubbed her butt. "But registration for next quarter is in two weeks. That's a lot of shots and I don't even have a doctor since Dr. Stien died."

"You don't have to complete them all in two weeks. As long as you have started and have a plan to finish by the end of the school year, I will be satisfied and give you a temporary exception."

"And you Sara, you can't get your exam form filled out? Don't worry, I am not going to bite your head off."

Sara gave a small pained smile, but still looked nervous. "No ma’am. I called my old doctor's office, but they can't fill it out with out seeing me and I can't get back to Florida in time and they couldn't even fit me in. And I tried a bunch of doctors around here, but none are taking new patients or they won't take the student health insurance. I'm sorry. I tried. I swear that the form was missing from the packet I got. I got the vaccine record filled out, but I didn’t get the exam form."

"Calm your self Sara. This meeting is about solutions, not blame." Janet said while thinking oh please don't let her start blubbering.

"We are aware of the problems with finding a doctor. There have been some sudden retirements recently that has caused a shortage. My staff has been calling around and running into the same problems."

"I have found a solution. You may not like it, but it will let you fix your issues in time to register for next quarters classes."

"I called in a favor with a local doctor who is a friend of mine. Dr. Taylor will take your student health insurance and let you all register as patients so that she can do Tom’s and Candis's vaccinations and fill out your exam form Sara."

"You will be real patients of hers and will be subject to the practices policies like her other patients. Among other things, this would mean that each of you would have to undergo a new patient exam. These have been scheduled for you. Here are some forms that you will need to fill out ahead of time." She said, handing out packages to each of them.

All three were stunned. Happy to have their problem solved, but still a little stunned. Candis was the first to recover enough to notice the practice's letter head.

"Umm, this says Taylor Pediatrics. She's a pediatrician? I'm 19, will she even take me?"

"You are still under 21 dear, so most pediatricians will treat you."

"However, Dr. Taylor is technically boarded in Family Practice Medicine with a sub focus in peds. She has just chosen to limit her scope when she bought out Dr. Klyne's practice. She allows her established patients to stay until they turn 21 or graduate college."

"Normally, she would not take you three on as new patients at your age, but she is making an exception as a favor to me."

Looking a bit more stern, she added. "Don't make me regret that. She is a friend of mine and I expect that your behavior will reflect well on this college."

A little kinder, "She is a good doctor, but she is very thorough and umm ... a stickler for accuracy. Your exams may be a little embarrassing if your old doctor had different practices. Just remember, she will see you for the rest of your time here if you want, but you don't have to stay with her if your don't want to once you have completed your vaccinations or gotten your required exam."

"Now, do you all accept this offer? If not, I have no other alternatives that can happen in time for you to register for next quarter's classes."

Sara was the first to speak up. "Yes ma'am. Thank you. I was worried about not having a local doctor anyway and I am not to proud to see a pediatrician, well sort of, for a few more years."

Tom and Candis looked at each other for a few seconds thinking about the number of shots coming their way, but agreed.

"Good. Call the office to confirm the appointments and show up on time with your student insurance cards and two dollar copays. Sara bring you completed form back to this office. Tom and Candis, bring back your signed vaccine plan forms."

"Now off with all of you. I need a break before my budget meeting."

-----

Later that afternoon Tom was back in his apartment filling out the paperwork the best that could and explaining to his girlfriend June what had happened."... so even if I have to get some shots and get some "new patient exam" by some local baby doc, I guess that I'm lucky to be able to get it fixed and not miss a quarter. Stupid fire."

"I do wonder what the dean meant by very thorough and a stickler for accuracy. Still how bad could that be? I hope I don't have to undress down to my shorts."

June, who was local, was pretty sure she knew who they were sending Tom to. "Can I see the papers? To see if I know of the doctor." she asked, a grin growing on her face.

Tom handed her one of pages with a the letter head on it. June's grin turned to a wicked smile and a cackle causing Tom to ask "What?"

"Oh Tom, Dr. Taylor was my doctor growing up. Technically she still is. I went to see her last month when I had that wicked bladder infection."

"And thorough and a stickler for accuracy definitely describes her. Snort! She's a good doctor. Nice, kind of motherly, and will listen to you, but ... mmm ... you better leave your modesty at home."

"Spill." Tom said.

"Maybe. Buy me diner at the Bent Spoon and show me a good time and I'll give you fair warning of what you and your cute butt are in store for."