After nearly eight years of planning, The Howard School last week officially opened a new school-based health clinic to provide critical medical services to its students. The clinic, created in partnership with the Hamilton County Department of Education and Erlanger Health System, marks a significant milestone in the school’s efforts to improve healthcare access for its underserved population.
“What an amazing day for history to be made,” said Erlanger Community Health Center Board Chairman Ken Jones. “This is a key example of how collaboration empowers families in our community to thrive. Thank you to everyone that played a role in making this a reality.”
The Howard School-Based Health Clinic is the first of its kind in the region, offering a full suite of medical services typically found only at traditional walk-in clinics. Unlike most school health centers that can only provide basic first aid, this new facility has a nurse practitioner on-site to administer comprehensive care. Students can receive everything from routine check-ups to treatment for illnesses and injuries without having to leave campus.
“Having it right here, it’s accessible,” said Dr. LeAndrea Ware, principal of The Howard School. “That’s what I call a one-stop-shop–education, excellence and healthcare wrap-around support. We have it all right here at The Howard School.”
The clinic’s opening is especially impactful for the school’s student population, which the Tennessee Department of Education lists as one of the state’s highest-poverty areas. Access to affordable healthcare can be a significant challenge for many families in the community. By providing services directly on campus, the new clinic aims to remove barriers that might prevent students from receiving the care they need.
“With a school-based health center, we are able to provide a full medical visit,” Angel Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Erlanger Community Health Center noted. “Usually, with your typical school clinics, you come in with something like a sore throat or ear ache, and you just try to make the child comfortable, call the parent to come pick them up and take them to see a medical provider.”
Dr. Ware added, “We also know that when they come into school in that condition, we know that learning is not going to be the first thing on their minds. Having the clinic here means students can get the treatment they require without missing valuable class time.”
In addition to basic medical services, the clinic will also offer on-site lab testing, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment. Students’ family members will also be able to utilize the facility, expanding its impact beyond just the school’s enrollment of nearly 1,900 students.
“Our students live with family, and if it’s an issue with the student, it’s an issue with the household,” Dr. Ware explained.
The Howard School-Based Health Clinic is a cornerstone in the school’s strategic plan, Opportunity 2030, which aims to provide wraparound services and support for students. With the new medical facility now operational, school leaders are hopeful it will lead to improved attendance, better learning outcomes, and overall enhanced well-being for the entire Howard community.
“Today is the fruition of the reality of that dream, and we’re just so excited that so many people have invested in us and are ready to support full-speed ahead,” Dr. Ware said.