Blue Ridge Health Revolutionizes Healthcare in Jackson County Public Schools | News
– Blue Ridge Health provides expert healthcare support to Jackson County Public Schools through school-based health clinics and telehealth visits, offering convenient access to medical care for students.
– The healthcare giant offers a wide range of services including behavioral health evaluations and treatment, mental health screening and counseling, and dietary consultations to meet students’ health needs.
Elaboration:
Blue Ridge Health has partnered with Jackson County Public Schools to bring essential healthcare services to students at no cost to the schools. Through school-based health clinics at Fairview and Smoky Mountain High School, Blue Ridge Health provides expert medical professionals on-site on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Additionally, the elementary schools and Community School have telehealth units available for students who need to see a doctor but are unable to leave school or have parents available. This innovative approach ensures that students receive timely and convenient healthcare support.
The partnership between Blue Ridge Health and Jackson County Public Schools extends beyond primary care. In addition to ordering medications at local pharmacies, Blue Ridge Health offers comprehensive services for behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Students can benefit from mental health screening, assessment, treatment planning, short-term counseling, referrals for additional care, and other related services. The inclusion of an on-staff registered dietitian allows for consultation and evaluation of growth patterns and eating habits, ensuring age-appropriate dietary recommendations are met. This includes weight management, addressing eating disorders, providing sports nutrition guidance, accommodating vegetarian/vegan diets for interested students, diabetes prevention strategies, and blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.
The availability of healthcare services within the school setting has greatly benefited families in the district. Parents have found it easier to access medical care for their children through the school health clinic when primary care appointments are not readily available. The convenience of being able to bill insurance for services such as COVID tests or strep tests has made it accessible for families with private insurance as well. The school health clinic is not limited to Medicaid recipients, making it a valuable resource for all students and their families.
Blue Ridge Health’s commitment to improving healthcare in Jackson County Public Schools extends beyond the school-based clinics. The healthcare giant operates a chain of urgent care clinics across seven counties in Western North Carolina, ensuring that students and their families have access to medical care when needed.
Overall, Blue Ridge Health’s partnership with Jackson County Public Schools has revolutionized healthcare in the district. By providing expert medical support, convenient access to care, and a wide range of services, Blue Ridge Health is making a significant impact on the health and well-being of students in Jackson County.
Source: www.thesylvaherald.com