DeKALB | Two weeks after NIU psychiatrist Dr. Diana Kraft retired, NIU Health Services has yet to find a replacement.

Dr. Brian Hemphill, vice president of Student Affairs, said NIU is searching for a replacement and has contracted a consultant to aid in the search.

“The search firm is providing support and direction in this critical search,” Hemphill said.

Dr. Linda Hermann, director of Health Services, said she is unaware of any legal obligation to offer psychiatric care to students.

“We want to be able to [offer psychiatric care], to offer valuable services to students. However, you can’t predict staffing,” Hermann said.

Kraft stated in March that the decision by Health Services to cut back on her appointment times was done to mirror similar steps taken by other colleges within the university in regard to appointment scheduling. Hemphill refused to comment on the cutting of Kraft’s scheduling times, as well as matters relating to any legal obligation on NIU’s part to offer its students psychiatric care.

Tim Paquette, psychologist with the Counseling and Student Development Center, said the center is working with students to find different psychiatrists covered under personal or family insurance. Paquette encourages students to contact their insurance providers to learn more.

The Health Services nursing staff is also working with students to find help until a replacement is hired, Hermann said.

Finding psychiatric care until NIU is able to provide it may prove difficult for some students.

Some psychiatrists in the area can have a month-long waiting list, and a new appointment can cost about $200 with a follow-up of about $120, Paquette said.

Not having access to medication and care can have a potentially large effect on patients, Paquette said.

According to the NIU student health insurance brochure, outpatient care benefits will be provided up to 80 percent for preferred providers and 80 percent for non-preferred providers, with a maximum of up to 25 visits per policy year.