School-based health clinic operating in Sisters

St. Charles School-Based Health Care (SBHC), housed in the small red building next to Sisters High School, opened its doors last year to serve the healthcare needs of all children in Sisters. What started with a trickle of maybe one child a day most of last year has now become 8 to 12 patients a day, about which program director Emily Salmon is very excited.

"Our goal is to have no slow days," she said.

The program grew out of the cooperative efforts of St. Charles Health System, Deschutes County Behavioral Health Services, Sisters School District, and Advantage Dental's School-Based Dental Clinic to provide integrated healthcare to all children from newborn through age 20.

"We aim to treat the whole person," said Salmon, "not just the symptoms."

Rob Ross, M.D., is the medical director of the facility and Angelina Zamboni, a bilingual nurse practitioner, provides clinical care delivery. Linda Wencel is the clinic supervisor and Kacie Smartt is a medical assistant. New to the staff this year is Jay Stalker, MSW, who is an integrated behavioral health consultant.

Very often there is an underlying behavioral problem impacting physical health. In collaboration with the family nurse practitioner, Stalker provides assessment, behavioral intervention, and skill building to promote improved overall well-being.

Jenn Noble, a part-time, licensed, professional counselor for Deschutes County, offers therapy for school-aged children and their families, working to address social, emotional, and behavioral issues. Noble is also trained in Parent Child Interaction Therapy, which is prescribed for children under the age of 7 and their caregiver(s).

The SBHC is a primary care service where parents may bring their children for well-child exams, immunizations, sports physicals, diagnosis and treatment, pregnancy tests, STD testing and contraceptive counseling with prescriptions or over-the-counter contraceptives. Medical records are electronically transmitted for follow-up with their primary physician for coordinated care. In accordance with Oregon state law, patients aged 15 years or older may consent for their own medical care at the SBHC and other medical clinics. (Young people over 15 may come to the center for services without parental consent.)

Sisters school nurses, Trish Roy and Debbie Willitts, told The Nugget, "We feel fortunate to have a school-based health center available for the students of Sisters School District. It offers easily accessible management of health needs for children/young adults."

They encourage parents to stop by and get acquainted with the services available.

Lack of dental care has become a huge problem all over Oregon, especially among children. Neglecting cleanings and dental caries can lead to gum disease, which leads to secondary infections, which makes children susceptible to all kinds of systemic illnesses. Advantage Dental provides Community Dental Hygienist Tiffany Foy to perform dental screening exams and preventive dental services for students, including information about preventive home care.

Patients will be seen regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. No one will be turned away. They don't want payment to be a barrier to services and will work with the family to arrange payments. The program does receive grant funds from the State of Oregon; it operates on a fee-for-service model.

In 2016, the SBHC staff plans to work with local schools and the Youth Advisory Council (administered by Deschutes County) on educational programs related to age-appropriate mental and physical health and wellness, as well as interactions with students interested in the field of healthcare. The clinic works closely with health sciences teachers in the schools and provides class tours of the clinic and its services.

The Sisters School-Based Health Clinic at 1680 W. McKinney Butte Rd. is open Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments with Advantage Dental are on the first and third Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.