HealthFrist Family Care Center is partnering with Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School to open the first school-based community health center in Greater Fall River.
At the health center, which opens this Monday, March 4, HealthFirst will staff a nurse and doctor at Diman daily and provide primary care health services for students that go beyond the school’s current medical capabilities. The goal is to expand medical opportunities for students and, by extension, parents.
Services at the health center will be offered to students free of charge, paid for by family medical insurance and Federal funding for the project secured by HealthFirst.
The concept of a school-based community health center is not new to Massachusetts but the HealthFitst/Diman partnership introduces the opportunity to the SouthCoast. Ms. Braga says she sees the health center as a compliment to the work already being accomplished by the current school nursing staff.
Diman Superintendent/Director Brian Bentley says the school initially had questions about the project, but soon began to see the potential benefits it can bring to Diman students.
Ms. Medeiros says the school-based community health center fits into the organization’s mission to expand health care accessibility in Greater Fall River.
HealthFirst is hopeful it can expand its school-based community health program to other area schools. The organization has been in contact with the Fall Rver Public Schools about establishing similar health centers at Durfee High School and the city’s middle schools.
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