Shelby City Schools opens health center for students

SHELBY — Only 36% of Shelby City Schools students were up to date on their comprehensive well-check visits prior to the opening of the student health center.

That is all changing.

"Since that time, we've seen almost 300 kids in the clinic, and 100 of those have been well-checks," said Melisa Oberdier.

Oberdier has been a nurse practitioner for 25 years. She was one of four speakers Wednesday for the ribbon-cutting of the school-based health center. It is located in the middle school annex in the former art room.

The health center is a collaboration with Nationwide Children's Hospital. It will provide checkups, send medication to the pharmacy, provide sports physicals, connect families with a doctor, provide the COVID-19 vaccine and booster and more.

"We believe this partnership will help promote healthy living for our students," Superintendent Michael Browning said. "We anticipate this facility will be a cornerstone of wellness for our community."

Letter of intent with Nationwide Children's Hospital approved in May 2022

In May 2022, the board of education approved a letter of intent with Nationwide Children's Hospital, along with approving a capital grant for $377,454.

"It operates independently of the school district," former Superintendent Tim Tarvin said at the time. "It just happens to be housed on our property."

Browning credited Tarvin and the board for their foresight.

"We're one of only 17 schools in Ohio that have a Nationwide Children's Hospital health center on their campus," he said.

Dr. Sara Bode is a primary care pediatrician and medical director for Nationwide's school health services. She detailed the idea behind a school-based health center.

"We know that kids need good access to health care, and we also know that in the state of Ohio, about half of school-age children don't have a primary care medical home, a place where they can regularly access health care," Bode said. "Schools and health care are natural partners. We know that kids have to show up healthy, ready to learn in school."

Oberdier, in her remarks about the opening of the health care center, actually was referring to a temporary space in the high school that started in June, ahead of Wednesday's ribbon-cutting for the permanent facility.

She credited school nurse Taryn Cramer for her support and partnership, calling her "our biggest cheerleader since Day 1."

Board member Kim Nadolsky fully supports partnership

Kim Nadolsky, board of education member, was the final speaker. She voted "yes" for the project last year, though she admitted she was skeptical at the time.

Those doubts are gone now.

"We have the same goals that we both know are most important, which are good health and a good education," Nadolsky said.

She shared ways the health center will benefit the community.

"It will provide more options for medical health for families that do not have a pediatrician," Nadolksy said. "Parents should have less of a burden making appointments, and transportation issues would decrease.

"It should also prevent parents from taking too much time off from work to get medical care for their children."

Nadolsky suggested a midyear progress report for the health center, along with an evaluation form for parents.

Assistant Superintendent Paul Walker, who served as the emcee, said care at the health center will be insurance-based, "just like a regular office."

Companies that worked on the project were architect Garmann Miller, along with Lamb Builders, Kelstin Inc. and Mid-State Blacktop.

Prior to Wednesday's ceremony, visitors were treated to Christmas songs by the high school choir. The event coincided with a community breakfast. Many community members took a tour following the ribbon-cutting.

Elected officials on hand were Shelby Mayor Steve Schag, Councilman Garland Gates, school board members Nadolsky and Carl Ridenour, and incoming board members Brad Ream and Heather Braun. Tarvin also was on hand.

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Shelby City Schools teams with Nationwide for student health clinic