CLEVELAND, Ohio — Additional Cleveland schools have in-house health clinics this school year, thanks to a collaboration involving the city of Cleveland, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and two local hospitals.
Mayor Justin Bibb joined other community leaders in celebrating the grand opening of new school health clinics — funded with $3.7 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds — at three Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools. The event was held at John Marshall High School.
Others attending the event included Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Warren Morgan, MetroHealth System CEO Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager and Dr. Roopa Thakur, medical director for the Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s School-Based Health Care program.
The new school-based clinics are in John F. Kennedy High School, John Marshall High School and Anton Grdina PreK-8 School, the mayor’s office said.
MetroHealth will operate the clinics at John Marshall and Anton Grdina; Cleveland Clinic will operate the clinic at John F. Kennedy.
“The new wellness clinics located at John Marshall High School and Anton Grdina are the latest example of MetroHealth going directly into our schools to provide care and services to students, their families and school staff,” MetroHealth’s Alexander-Rager said. “Our youngest patients live better and learn better when they are receiving comprehensive care. Creating this access for our city’s students is a top priority of our hospital system.”
The new clinics join existing clinics at Mound Elementary School, Glenville High School and Clara E. Westropp Elementary School.
School-based health clinics provide a range of services, including annual and sports physicals, immunizations, care for chronic conditions, lab tests and behavioral health services. The clinics also help families overcome barriers to health care access, such as transportation, financial constraints and limited healthcare facilities in their communities, the city said.
“The idea of having a health clinic inside a high school is progressive and ideal for students who might not have quality healthcare, and a desire to pursue health care careers in their futures,” said Morgan, of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
The district’s school health nurses will continue to provide care at these and other schools.
“When we bring care directly into schools, we’re not just making it easier for students to see a doctor, we’re building trust with families in a space that feels safe and familiar,” the Clinic’s Thakur said. “That kind of connection helps lay the foundation for lifelong health.”