By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
The new Groveport Madison Schools and PrimaryOne Health School Based Health Center is located at the rear of the District Service Center, 4400 Marketing Place, Groveport. Pictured here are Groveport Madison Schools Communications Director Jeff Warner and Director of Business Services Chris Reed entering the waiting room of the facility.
Health care options will increase for the Groveport Madison Schools community.
The PrimaryOne Health School-Based Health Center – located in the rear portion of the Groveport Madison District Service Center at 4400 Marketing Place, Suite A in Groveport – will hold its grand opening on June 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include remarks from community stakeholders, a ribbon-cutting, and health center tours.
Groveport Madison Schools Communications Director Jeff Warner said the health center’s build-out is approximately 2,700 square feet and there is also space available to expand if needed. He said the cost to build out the space for the health center is $1.6 million (guaranteed maximum price) and was funded by a combination of federal stimulus funds and a $620,000 state grant.
PrimaryOne Health will operate the center and is responsible for all operating costs associated with the health center.
“While we will be strongly marketing to our students and their families, the health center will be open to the public as well as our staff,” said Warner.
PrimaryOne Health practitioners will provide comprehensive health services, vision and dental services, health screenings, routine physical exams, sports and work physicals, immunizations and vaccinations, routine lab tests, and behavioral health services. They will also have services to assist those with substance abuse disorders.
The health center’s operating hours will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PrimaryOne Health accepts patients’ private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
“They also offer a sliding fee scale for those who do not have insurance that is based on household income,” said Warner. “PrimaryOne Health has Community Health Outreach Workers that can assist families with the application process for Medicare and Medicaid.”
The health center will begin seeing patients on June 20. The schedule for services is: Monday – vision and dental; Tuesday – medical/behavioral health; Wednesday – medical/behavioral health and vision; Thursday – medical/behavior health; and Friday – vision and dental.
When asked why did the district created the health center and why is it needed, Warner said, “Among the many non-academic barriers that impact students’ abilities to achieve their full potential are health-related issues. Our area has very limited health services/resources available to students and their families, so obtaining even basic services isn’t always easy. Imagine how difficult it is for students to concentrate in school when they have a toothache or need glasses.”
Warner added that school-based health centers have emerged as “effective models in improving student access to health care and closing the gap experienced by racial, ethnic, and cultural communities experiencing health inequities. Students who receive essential preventative and primary care services are more likely to be attentive, successful learners. Healthy students are better on all levels of academic achievement: academic performance, behavior, and cognitive skills and attitudes. Investing in the health of students contributes to healthy communities in the future.”
For information call visit www.primaryonehealth.org/services/school-based-health-centers/ or call 614-645-5500.
