The St. Francis Medical Center and Grand Island school district recognized a need several years ago. They wanted to meet the medical needs of students not currently a part of the medical delivery system and also provide care to students on-site to avoid excess absences.
Teens generally are a segment of society underserved with medical treatment.
Through the work of some dedicated health care and educational professionals and some community leaders, the Wellness Center became a reality. The health center has a fairly narrow set of procedures and abilities, and, to its credit, has not tried to work outside the scope of its mission. Minor maladies such as sore throats or bad colds that used to require missing school for a doctor's appointment are now routinely handled with a minimum of disruption to the student's school day. Students must have parental permission to use the Wellness Center and parents are notified of each visit. Both the medical center and the school district also recognized the need for a mental health component, so students requiring therapies in drug and alcohol abuse and mental health would also have access to care.