Published: April 23, 2024
GRAND LEDGE, MI – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is proud to announce the opening of a new, innovative clinic inside Grand Ledge High School to address the health needs of young people from ages 5-21. It’s part of a first-of-its-kind partnership between UM Health-Sparrow, Grand Ledge Public Schools and the Eaton Regional Education Service Agency (Eaton RESA).
The new Grand Ledge Public Schools Health Center is a unique concept with a mission of providing school-based health programs and clinical services to improve the well-being of students, their families and our communities. Patients will not be required to be a registered student at the school to receive services. Insured and uninsured patients are accepted. Appointments and drop-in care will be available.
"University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is proud to support greater access to health care for these students. Health systems and schools share responsibility in the management of keeping our youth healthy,” says Constance O’Malley, regional chief operating officer of University of Michigan Health.
“Providing these services during and around the school day leads to early identification and intervention, better academic outcomes and a more positive school climate,” said William Barnes, superintendent, Grand Ledge Public Schools. “School-based health centers have demonstrated a reduction in student absences, a reduction in dropout rates, an increase in graduation rates, GPA and connectedness to school. Community partnerships, like this one between University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, Eaton RESA, and Grand Ledge Public Schools, are essential to meeting the needs of our students and families, and we are thrilled that we are able to collectively provide this opportunity in our district.”
The Grand Ledge Public Schools Health Center recently opened as a permanent location within Grand Ledge High School, thanks to grant funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It is open year-round, making accessing health care easy for students and parents – much like having a doctor’s office in your child’s school. University of Michigan Health-Sparrow hired the necessary staffing, including an advanced practice provider, Colleen Simon, P.A.-C, and a medical assistant, Shannon Bowers with Eaton RESA providing the social worker.
Services offered at the school-based health center include immunizations, physicals, sports physicals, asthma care, sick care and behavioral health care. All services are provided by University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and Eaton RESA.
“We know this new health center will help address a need for clinical services and health programs for children and young adults in Eaton County, beyond just students of Grand Ledge Public Schools,” said RESA Superintendent Sean Williams.
For more information about the Grand Ledge Public Schools Health Center, go to GLcomets.net/HealthCenter. And for more information about Sparrow care, go to UofMHealthSparrow.org.
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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as UM Health-Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Care Network, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. UM Health-Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 team members, UM Health-Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org.