Two Cabell County Schools Open School-Based Health Centers (WV)

November 15, 2010

A ribbon cutting Friday marked theopening of a School based health center at Southside Elementary and HuntingtonMiddle Schools. The clinic is the first at any Cabell County Elementary andMiddle schools, and is an extension of Valley Health.

“We have kids sick everyday,” saidSouthside Principal John Hanna. “We have people here five days a week so theyhave immediate health care instead of waiting for parents to pick them up andtaking them to an emergency room or another clinic they are right here on sightand can be serviced immediately.”

The service will provide fullservice medical care and dental care for all students enrolled in the program.Melanie Hall, with Valley Health, says there will still be a school nurse,although she will be able to concentrate on more administrative duties.

“The school nurse will still be busyin doing her roll with keeping the records and assessments with the studentsfor the counties purposes, and we are an extension of that,” Hall said. “Shehas several other schools she has to attend to too, so we’re able to be herewhen she is not able to be here.”

Hanna said so far parents havewelcomed the clinic.

“Nothing but positive,” he said.“They think it’s a wonderful thing, because their kids can come in any day anytime and see a nurse right on the spot.