EHOVE Career Center and Erie County Health Department have partnered to open a health clinic on campus exclusively for staff and students in both the high school and adult education. The school-based health center will offer convenient access to primary care and mental health resources.
Dr. Timothy Plank, D.O. and Stephanie Salyer, RN are staffing the health center on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30 am-6 pm. Services offered include screenings, exams, sports and work physicals, immunizations, and evaluation of illnesses and minor injuries - all services similar to what is provided by a family doctor. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Valerie Capicini LPCC from Ohio Guidestone is available to provide mental and behavioral health services.
The health center will fill a void for high school students whose parents cannot leave work to transport students to the doctor. This will also assist students without existing healthcare connections. If the consent form was signed by a parent, students can choose to use the clinic or be referred by School Nurse Heather Cromwell, RN. Parents who did not previously sign the form may still do so.
Erie County Health Department Chief Health Planning Officer, Shari Greene, RN, explains, "The clinic's role is not to replace the family physician. We're there as a partner to help EHOVE students and staff receive needed medical care in a timely fashion that's convenient and accessible." Students who need further care will be connected to appropriate providers. The services provided through the clinic will be billed through insurance. Students without insurance will be offered a sliding fee scale based on income with payment plan options.
Greene anticipates that the clinic will expand quickly to accommodate demand. Plans include adding services such as chiropractic care and dentistry. The goal is to eventually move from being open two days a week to providing daily access to quality care five days a week.