WHEELING — Madison Elementary School is excited to soon welcome young patients at its new health clinic. The clinic has been set up, but school officials are awaiting signed consent forms from parents.
Leah Stout, special education director for Ohio County Schools, mentioned that consent packets will soon be sent home with students. The ribbon-cutting for the clinic happened back in September, and now it’s ready to open its doors.
There were some delays due to policy adjustments between the school and the clinic’s medical provider, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. “We had to refine the consent forms to make sure we weren’t being redundant,” Stout explained. This change came after the Ohio County Board of Education approved revisions to the existing policy last week.
Once open, nurse practitioner Leah Thieman will run the clinic, available on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m. If a student feels unwell and hasn’t submitted their consent form yet, there’s a protocol in place. School staff can reach out to parents for permission to treat their child.
This initiative is significant. In November 2024, the school board approved a memorandum with WVU Medicine to provide healthcare at the school. Initially, the clinic will focus exclusively on Madison students to maintain privacy for older children.
The clinic aims to bridge a healthcare gap for young students. Recent studies show that school-based health clinics can improve attendance and academic performance among children. According to a report from the National Association of School Nurses, schools with health clinics see a 20% decrease in absenteeism. (Source)
This new clinic not only offers medical attention but also promotes a supportive health environment in schools, addressing challenges many students face. Having healthcare access readily available can make a significant difference in a child’s overall well-being, setting them up for a healthier future.
