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As children head back to class in the Marietta and Belpre City school districts, they will have access to a variety of pediatric-focused health services offered in their school buildings through a new partnership between the districts and Akron Children’s.

Akron Children’s School-Based Health Center (SBHC) is one of the services offered through new contracts with Akron Children’s.

“With a parent’s consent, a nurse practitioner can provide a wide range of medical exams and services in person or through telehealth,” said Mary Schatz, clinical nurse manager, School Health Services for Akron Children’s.

A news release from Akron’s Children’s said, “For example, if a child is experiencing ear pain, the nurse practitioner would examine the child’s ear in the nursing office or via telehealth if the provider is at another building that day. If an ear infection is diagnosed, the provider would then call in a prescription to a pharmacy, saving the child lost school time and the parent lost work time, having to get the child to a doctor, urgent care, or an ER. Insurance will be billed, or financial counseling is available for those without insurance.”

“SBHC is a very successful and proven approach to keeping children healthy in the classroom and is especially well suited for addressing minor illnesses like coughs, colds, flu, fevers, sore throats, allergy and sinus issues, pink eye and rashes,” said Brad Cunningham, senior director of Primary Care and School Health at Akron Children’s.

Stacey Greenup, who also sees patients at the Akron Children’s Pediatrics offices in Marietta and Belpre, is the lead certified nurse practitioner who will be working in the Marietta and Belpre schools.

Greenup is paired with a medical assistant in each school building, who will also support the students’ health needs.

In addition, some schools will offer in-school appointments for annual well visits, screenings for hearing and vision, sports physicals and vaccinations.

Students can be screened for anxiety and depression, and the nurse practitioner can refer to a mental health therapist, if behavioral health services are needed.

Akron Children’s provides School Health Services to 44 school districts in Ohio and provides school-based health center services to 17 school districts.

“School nursing is a continuum of care committed to keeping kids healthy and ready to learn,” said Schatz. “It’s a privilege to care for the students in Marietta and Belpre schools and we are very excited to welcome them into our network.”

For more information or questions, call 330-543-7242 or visit akronchildrens.org/schoolhealth.