Bluffton University students' access to health care is expanding thanks to a new partnership between the university and Bluffton Hospital.

"It's going to be a significantly increased level of service for our students," said Dr. Eric Fulcomer, the university's vice president for enrollment management and student life. "I expect a significant increase in Health Center usage."

Under the agreement, the hospital will staff the university's Health Center 20 hours per week with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, either of whom can make diagnoses and write prescriptions. In addition, as part of the agreement, students may go to the hospital at any time , 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and consult with the attending physician in the ER.

The hospital has been recognized for its service, ranking first among 164 Ohio hospitals for patient satisfaction by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems and receiving the national Press Ganey Summit Award for customer satisfaction.

Last year, Bluffton was one of only 32 inpatient hospitals in the United States to receive the award, which is given to health care facilities that sustain the highest level of customer satisfaction for three or more consecutive years.

"There aren't many villages our size that have a university and a hospital," he added. "It makes Bluffton a better community."