We focus on the Sault Health Adolescent Care Center for February's "School-Based Health Center Awareness Month"
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI -- Health care is just down the hall for hundreds of thousands of Michigan students thanks to a multi-million dollar project.
More than 100 schools in the State of Michigan have health clinics.
Sault Area High School is one of them.
If a student comes down with the flu or if a student needs a refilled prescription, it's just a matter of walking down the hall.
"I could have a sliver or I could have a heart arithma, and I have, I've had all of those things come in, so you just never know," said Nurse Practitioner Teri Kowalski of the Chippewa County Health Department.
Welcome to the SHACC as the students call it, or properly known as the Student Health Adolescent Care Center. The SHACC is located near the back of Sault Area High School but within the same doors. Teri Kowalski is the nurse practitioner who runs the almost-like doctors office.
“This is providing health care right in the clinic, along with education, and mental health and counseling services," said Kowalski.
The SHACC was the first of its kind in the Upper Peninsula; it opened its doors six years ago. This month has been designated to recognize the importance of the more than 100 health centers, like this one, within the schools that serve more than 200,000 students across the state. The clinics are placed in communities where access to health care is an issue.
"It’s a really needed component. Chippewa County is not an affluent community, and we have a lot of students who come to our school, who I don't want to say are high-risk, but are at risk students," said Sault Area High School Principal John Sherry.
The health center makes it real easy for students to get checked-up. Marisa Gonyeau and Mackenzie Gimpil have used it and they’re on the SHACC student advisory board.
"It’s just easy for everyone to come down here, they just have the services," said student Marisa Gonyeau.
"It feels more personal being here instead of going to another doctor and its easier to come out of class and do it during the day," said Mackenzie Gimpil.
Since it's opened, it's proven to be cost-effective. The SHACC accepts insurance, including Medicaid, and students aren't denied service based on inability to pay.
"I think it should be the model of the future," said Kowalski.
Many of the centers are funded by a grant from the state worth $3.5 million, which is matched two-to-one by Federal Medicaid.
Recently, a center has opened in Newberry.
Here is a breakdown of Northern MI centers:
Alcona County: AHC Tiger Health Extension, Alcona Elementary School
Lake County: Baldwin Teen Health Center, Baldwin Community Schools
Newaygo County: White Cloud Teen Health Center, White Cloud Jr./Sr. High School
Chippewa County: Sault Health Adolescent Care Center, Sault Area High School
Wexford County: Wexford Adolescent Wellness Center, Cadillac
Luce: The CAMP, Newberry
Grand Traverse County: Young Health and Wellness Center, Traverse City; K-Town Your Care, Kingsley
Emmett County: Hornet Health Care, Pellston
Antrim County: Teen Health Project of Northwest MI, Mancelona
Kalkaska County: Kalkaska Memorial Health Center
Roscommon County: Roscommon Middle School, and Houghton Lake High School School Based Health Center
Presque Isle County: Onaway School-Based Health Center
For more information or to visit the School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan, CLICK HERE.
To visit the Chippewa County Department of Health Website to learn more about the SHACC, CLICK HERE.
