Editorial
We are pleased to report that accessibility to health care is actually increasing for school-aged children in the Rockbridge area, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Rockbridge Area Health Center and the Rockbridge County Public Schools.
During an open house at the Innovation Center at Rockbridge County High School this past Wednesday, April 23, school-based health centers that were established this past August were celebrated, showcasing the impact they are having on the local student population.
Community leaders, school officials, health care partners and representatives of key funding organizations, including the Virginia Health Care Foundation, Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club and the Rockbridge Community Health Foundation, gathered to tour the facility and learn about the program’s achievements.
“We are thrilled to welcome everyone into our permanent space within the high school, creating a comfortable and accessible environment for students,” said Brian Pins, RAHC associate director of operations, who spearheaded the program’s launch. “Having an office right in the high school integrates health care into students’ everyday lives. Our staff has built trusting relationships with many students, who now see the SBHC as a safe place to receive medical or mental health care without leaving school grounds.”
The event highlighted impressive early results: since launching last August, the SBHCs have served almost 700 unique students through 1,637 combined medical and behavioral health visits, through the end of March, at both the Rockbridge County High School and Maury River Middle School locations.
The school-based health centers provide comprehensive services, including physical exams and vaccinations, care and treatment of injuries and illness, routine laboratory tests, nutrition services, and chronic conditions management (asthma, ADHD, diabetes). Behavioral health services include behavioral and mental health assessments, and counseling services for individuals and small groups.
The program represents a collaborative effort between RAHC and Rockbridge County Public Schools, addressing critical needs identified in the Rockbridge Area Community Health Assessment, including chronic disease management, mental health support and injury/ violence prevention.
“Our teachers are absolutely overjoyed with how accessible the school-based health center is for our students,” said Matt Crossman, director of school services for the county schools. “They love the fact that kids don’t have to leave school to receive medical care or mental health support. It’s made a tremendous difference in reducing classroom disruptions and ensuring students get the care they need without missing valuable instruction time.”
All RCHS and MRMS students and their families are welcome at the SBHCs, making health care more accessible and convenient while reducing barriers like transportation and missed school time. For more information, or to register a student, call or text (540) 464-8700 or visit https://www.rockahc.org/ sbhc/.
We congratulate all who have contributed to these efforts to make health care more readily accessible to students in these local schools.
