Ball State Health Center Medical Director Kent Bullis’ glasses sat on his neat and organized desk, his hands rest folded together in front of him. The shelves behind him sat empty, save for a small cardboard box.
“There are no average days,” he said when asked what a day in his position looks like.
Bullis, 55, has worked at the Health Center for the past 12 years and Friday, he is to move on to his new position as director at the Cornell University Health Center.
He came to work at Ball State at the recommendation of some friends employed by the university. During his time here, he said the state of student health care and his own position have evolved for the better.
Bullis maintains that one of the greatest improvements is the system which more students can attend school despite their medical conditions. Just 10 or 15 years ago, people with autism or schizophrenia wouldn’t have been able to function in a university setting, Bullis said, but improvements in student health care have changed that.
“The most rewarding thing as a physician is being able to help students who come in to see me and they don’t see any way that they’re going to get through school ... and actually helping them to remain in school and get a degree,” Bullis said. “That is personally very, very gratifying.”
Administrative duties take up more time than when he began, partially due to the increase in medical care, but Bullis said he enjoys the variety.
There’s been some days where he’s seen patients all day long, and others where he only does paperwork. He’s enjoyed evaluating the system of student health care and improving it to make it more effective and efficient, such as the switch to computerized medical records the Health Center underwent in 2004.
Working in student health care has its advantages and disadvantages when compared to private practices or hospitals.
Bullis said he likes not having to expend resources on insurance processing. It is a massive undertaking at other types of institution, but university fees pay for most care at the Health Center.
The job is not without its downsides. The drinking culture found at Ball State and universities across the country demands a great emotional toll from health care professionals working in such close proximity.
“At 55 years old, if I see someone die or become seriously injured from an accident that is related to alcohol it’s tempting from my perspective to see that as a preventable thing,” Bullis said. “From the perspective of a 20-year-old, often times it’s not that clear to them that it was preventable. It’s painful; it hurts a lot to see a young person’s life to be dramatically affected by something related to alcohol.”
Other public health issues leave Bullis more conflicted.
As a public health professional, he thinks the university smoking ban is a good thing, citing that studies have shown that smoking bans lead to less smoking overall. However as an individual, he said that he is sometimes uncomfortable with the legal restrictions placed on people’s individual choices.
Instead of railing against drinking or smoking, Bullis attempted to give health advice he believed might actually be followed.
Over his years at Ball State, Bullis said he has noticed students consistently undervalue sleep and exercise and that both contribute greatly to happiness, well-being and general functionality as a person.
Bullis follows his own advice, aiming for eight hours of sleep a night and one hour of exercise, four to five days a week. Cycling, swimming and lifting weights are among his favorite activities.
He also enjoys the alone time he gets during exercise. Bullis described himself as an introvert and that he needs alone time to “recharge.”
Before parting with the university, Bullis gave some advice for medical students.
He strongly recommended getting into a health care facility to work or observe as early as possible. Too much school is required to find out one doesn’t like it once they get there. The recommendation of an unnamed role model spurred Bullis to become a physician and he doesn’t regret his choice.
“There are so many opportunities to expand one’s point of view and cultural being,” Bullis said. “These are things that are unrelated to the grades you take home. They really help create a whole person, and in that way, contribute to one’s overall health.”
