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Allergy Clinic to close following accreditation review of Student Health and Wellness
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care advised SHW to stop accepting outside physician orders for allergy immunotherapy, leading to the Clinic’s closure
Student Health and Wellness, photographed April 20, 2025
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Student Health and Wellness is closing its allergy shot department, effective August 2026, according to Danielle D’Andrea, director of communications and marketing for SHW. Allergy Clinic users were alerted of the closure in mid-May. The decision follows a review of SHW by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, which suggested the University end the current model of administering allergy immunotherapy ordered by outside physicians.
The University ended the program to keep up with accreditation standards, as SHW does not have board-certified allergists on staff, according to D’Andrea. According to the SHW website, SHW is a primary care clinic, and D’Andrea explained that continuing to administer allergy injections solely under outside physician orders — without any board-certified allergists — was no longer consistent with accreditation expectations.
Roughly 100 out of the over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students served by SHW in the last academic year utilized the Allergy Clinic according to D’Andrea. Students were able to schedule appointments with the Allergy Clinic by calling SHW, and appointments generally cost between $15 and $25 per visit
SHW said it provided students who used the Clinic with information and support they need to make the transition to external providers. The SHW website posted a list of local allergy clinic providers, and U.Va. Health currently offers a shuttle to Northridge Medical Park.
“We recognize this change requires students to transition their care, and we understand that can be stressful,” D’Andrea wrote. “Our priority has been ensuring every student has the support needed to make that transition successfully.”
Parents of students expressed their concerns regarding the closure on the U.Va. Parent Network Facebook page. Many said they felt that the closure would deeply inconvenience students who relied on these services. Additionally, there was frustration over the fact that students would need to travel to clinics that are further from Grounds, which could create challenges for students attempting to get continued care.
When students were notified in mid-May, SHW announced that it anticipated ending its services in August. According to the SHW website, students are expected to pick up allergy vials before breaks or the end of the fall semester. It is unclear which breaks SHW is referencing on its website. Along with being notified of the Clinic’s closure, students were provided with information about the transition timeline and contact information for the Allergy Clinic’s nursing staff, as indicated by D’Andrea.
Students were also encouraged to make appointments with one of SHW’s medical services care managers, and this manager could provide individualized support to help students find local allergy specialists to establish care with. Students were also provided information about local transportation options that can be utilized to travel to outside clinics. Details on the closure of the Allergy Clinic will be shared in upcoming orientation sessions for new University students, D’Andrea wrote.
“Our focus throughout this transition has been on communication and continuity of care,” D’Andrea wrote. “We remain committed to supporting students through this transition while actively exploring future models that would allow allergy immunotherapy services to be offered in a manner consistent with accreditation standards and clinical best practices.”
While the Allergy Clinic will be closing in the upcoming month, D’Andrea said SHW will continue to do its best to support students’ primary health care. SHW still provides students with care and support services, including mental health, disability, medical and well-being services.
“Students are referred to board-certified specialists who manage the student’s specialized care needs, while our medical team continues to support their primary health care,” D’Andrea wrote.
Students can visit SHW weekdays during the school year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekdays during breaks and summer from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. SHW is located at 550 Brandon Avenue across from Gaston House
Ruby Budetti
Ruby Budetti is a staff writer on the news desk. She also works as a staffer for The Cavalier Daily social media team. She is a second-year student on the pre-Batten track and hopes to major in Public Policy and Leadership
