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Oct. 7, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: I recently toured the new health clinic embedded inside Maury River Middle School. Wow! The Rockbridge Area Health Center and Rockbridge County Public Schools partnered to transform unused school space into an impressive school clinic with a reception area, two welldesigned examination rooms, an office for a behavioral health provider, and storage for extensive medical supplies. The clinic staff includes a nurse practitioner, a nurse, a behavioral health specialist, and a community health worker.
Also impressive is the fact that the clinic set-up cost the taxpayers of Rockbridge County nothing. The Virginia Health Care Foundation, other general foundations, churches, civic organizations, and private donors all supplied the needed funds. The clinic currently pays for itself by billing medical insurance for services. However, the clinic denies no one treatment. Personnel in the clinic will assist a family without insurance in applying for a policy through Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act.
Having medical facilities at the school will prevent families from missing work, and students from missing school. Clinic staff screen all patients for mental health issues. This process has already resulted in several students with suicidal thoughts receiving care immediately.
A similar clinic is planned for the high school later this year. We are truly fortunate to have such high-quality health care facilities in our schools. LENNA OJURE Rockbridge County School Board member
