School-based clinic gets funding

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners last Wednesday approved the funding for a new building to house the Sisters School Based Health Clinic (SBHC), one of many operated by Deschutes County. The clinic will operate through partnerships with St. Charles Health System and Advantage Dental.

Currently, the clinic operates out of a small modular building near Reed Stadium. Construction of the new building will begin in January, and is expected to be complete this summer.

The clinic will be the first in Central Oregon offering primary medical, oral health, public health and behavioral health services. St. Charles Health System will staff the clinic 10 hours a week with family physicians, and will pay half the salary of a full-time receptionist.

"St. Charles and their physicians will serve as the medical sponsor for primary care services, which is very generous and critical to the project - we are thrilled with that commitment," said Deschutes County Health Services Director Scott Johnson.

St. Charles' Medical Director of Community Health Strategy Dr. Robert Ross said, "Deschutes County would not have been able to open the clinic without St. Charles' participation. It's a small investment by us for a large return for Deschutes County and the Sisters community."

"We are thrilled that St. Charles is sponsoring the SBHC, and greatly appreciative of the work Deschutes County Health management has done to help make the clinic a reality. The triangle of health services - dental, behavioral, and public health - is imperative to the success of students here in Sisters," said Sisters School District Superintendent Jim Golden.

Golden particularly emphasized the importance of the behavioral health component.

"The biggest issue is mental health," he told The Nugget. "By far the biggest issue."

Advantage Dental will provide oral health care and prevention services at the new location.

"Advantage Dental is pleased to participate in this unique collaboration with the community of Sisters. Setting behavioral health, physical, and oral health within a school environment fits the new 'mantra' of health care. Taking health care to the patient not only provides better access, but saves costs and loss of school time," said Advantage Dental President and CEO Mike Shirtcliff.