POTSDAM -- Susan Knowles and the staff of the Student Health and Counseling Center (SHAC) at Clarkson University have been awarded Clarkson University Students’ Association (CUSA) Outstanding Student Service Award.

Knowles is a member of Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s medical staff and directs the Center, which is operated by CPH. The award was presented at University Recognition Day Sunday, April 9.

According to CUSA officials, the award is given annually to honor an exceptional Clarkson University office. Offices are judged on congeniality, availability, efficiency, concern with student welfare, and proficiency. The SHAC offers comprehensive health and wellness services to registered students, including women’s health, vaccinations, physicals, acute care, and individual and group counseling sessions.

“We’re honored to have the care we provide to students recognized in this way,” said FACHE, President and CEO of St. Lawrence Health System David B. Acker. “We work closely with Clarkson University on a number of educational initiatives—in particular the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program—and caring for students’ health and wellness seems to be a natural extension,” he said.

For her part, Susan Knowles expressed gratitude to CUSA and acknowledged the hard work of staff. “They really care about students and the special needs of the student population,” she said. “Our staff members know what kind of pressures students are under these days—especially high-performing students like the ones at Clarkson—so we do our best to be responsive and there for them,” she said. “I know their parents appreciate it too,” she added.

CPH also operates the Diana B. Torrey ’82 Health and Counseling Center at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. Non-emergency medical services for students after hours are available in Potsdam’s CPH Urgent Care Center or in Canton’s CPH Afterhours Walk-in Clinic.

For more information about CPH health centers and other services, interested individuals may visit www.cphospital.org.