Health clinic opens in a Tenn. elementary school

MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. A health clinic has opened its doors within an East Tennessee elementary school as part of a pilot program, according to a local news report.

The clinic, which used to be the principal’s office, features two exam rooms, a sick bay and a lab. A waiting room might be converted to a private area for behavioral therapy.

According to the report, the Cherokee Health Systems pilot clinic is not free. Cherokee bills patients’ insurance, if they have it. Cherokee charges a $5 office visit fee if they do not have insurance.

The school-based facility, which could be a model for future clinics at other Union County schools, has a registered nurse who works along with two part-time nurse practitioners, the report stated.

“At this school we have lots of children on insulin pumps, we have tube feeders, normal catheterizations here, medicines that have to be given during the school day,” Cyndy, Nicely, the registered nurse, was quoted as saying. “So this was the ideal place to start the program.”