Med Center Health to provide School Nurse Program for Simpson County Schools
On August 29, Med Center Health was awarded a contract to provide school nurse services for Simpson County after the Barren River District Health Department announced it would no longer be able to provide services for school systems in the 10-county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD).
The addition of the School Nurse Program to Med Center Health’s comprehensive list of services aligns with its mission as both a not-for-profit and the leading healthcare provider in the region. Through the school nurse program, Med Center Health will provide basic healthcare services to students and faculty. Education and support will also be offered to faculty members to help them understand and manage complex medical conditions of students in their classrooms. The School Nurse Program is vitally important for students who previously were not able to attend school because of their medical conditions, and also helps promote access to care for at-risk populations in the schools.
Med Center Health began offering primary care services in the schools in December 2017, when its first School-Based Health Clinic (SBHC) opened in Allen County. Since then, Med Center Health has added three additional SBHC locations: Simpson County in August 2018; and additional SBHCs in Allen County and Simpson County opened in August of this year. These SBHCs have provided more than 4,000 visits to students, faculty and family members—that number is expected to grow to more than 5,500 visits by the end of 2019. Additionally, the clinics have helped ensure immediate access to locally-available healthcare services offered by Med Center Health, such as labs, radiology exams, immunizations, physical exams, and referrals to specialists.
In addition to SBHCs, Med Center Health has offered other healthcare services to schools for several years. Currently, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers provide Sports Medicine services to Western Kentucky University and eight other schools in seven counties. In Simpson County, physical therapy is provided for students who need it to succeed in the school environment.
Backed by the most comprehensive healthcare system in the region, the School Nurse Program in Simpson County will fill any gaps in the continuum of care for students and faculty. With Med Center Health’s focus on preventive medicine and wellness, the goal is to help students and faculty—and their families—lead healthier, more productive lives. For more information about School-Based Health Clinics or the School Nurse Program, contact Annette Runyon, Vice President, at 270-598-4800.