Ohio Hills Health Centers and Bellaire Locals Schools Partner to Open School Based Health Center

Ohio Hills Health Centers (OHHC) in collaboration with the Bellaire Local Schools will be opening a School Based Health Center (SBHC) in the Bellaire High School. The health center will offer comprehensive primary health care services and will be staffed by a Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant, Medical Assistant and a Medical Receptionist. The health center will be operational year-round, including the summer months.  

“The school health center will make an incredible difference for our students and our community. The clinic will help ensure that Bellaire students can be successful academically by reducing absenteeism and improving the health of our students,” said Derrick McAfee, Superintendent of Bellaire Local Schools.

This new SBHC was made possible through a planning and implementation grant for $499,445 through the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).  This grant is part of the state’s commitment to improving the health and educational outcomes for all students. One strategy to accomplish this is through SBHCs. Research has demonstrated that SBHCs can positively impact students’ health and position them for academic success.

“Governor DeWine has made school-based health centers a priority, as a means to help improve the lives and health of Ohioans,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health. “ODH has been supporting school-based health centers since 2021, and we recognize that they play an important role in providing health care to students in a familiar and trusted environment. We’re excited to be helping bring this resource to the Bellaire Local School District community.”

To assist with the implementation and contribute to the sustained success of this project, the ODH grant also incorporates technical assistance support from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Nationwide Children’s operates 17 school-based primary care clinics in central Ohio and has partnered with the state of Ohio, health care providers, nonprofit funders, school nurses and school districts across the state to support the development of school-based health programs.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Bellaire Local School District, ODH, and with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to bring much-needed health care to Bellaire students, their family members, school staff and the community,” said Jeff Britton, CEO, OHHC. “During the grant planning phase, we have also received tremendous support from Crystal Lorimor, Executive Director, Community Improvement Corporation and the business leaders and clergy of Bellaire. Their support will contribute to the success of this project.”

School-based health centers can help bring essential health services to children where they spend most of their time – at school,” said Mary Kay Irwin, EdD, senior director of school health services for Nationwide Children’s. “Nationwide Children’s has been operating school-based health services for nearly a decade and has seen firsthand the impact these services can have for students, families and schools.”

The Bellaire School Based Health Center will open March 13th, initially providing services to students and staff and then expanding to the community.  For additional information or an appointment please call OHHC at 740-239-6447.

Photo: (l-r) Cathy Moore, Treasurer, Bellaire Local Schools; Ryan Aston, Physician Assistant, OHHC; Derrick McAfee, Superintendent, Bellaire Local Schools and Jeff Britton, CEO, OHHC