Did you know Cherry Health delivers medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care to thousands of students every year—right in their school? Our 2024 Prescription: Strength luncheon featured the ways in-school health centers plus traveling dental and vision services provide access to care and help keep kids healthy.
Accessibility is key for the thousands of students who receive health care each year in school because it may be their first or only visit with a dentist, optometrist, or other health care professional. In 2023, more than 600 students received prescription glasses, and over 8,000 got brighter smiles because they received dental sealants to protect against tooth decay. When kids can get the care they need in school, they miss fewer classes, and their learning and overall well-being improve. For parents, it means they don’t need to juggle work or transportation issues around an appointment—and treatment is affordable because all students are welcome, regardless of ability to pay.
“Cherry Health engages deliberately with schools and districts where students have greater barriers to accessing traditional primary care services. By assessing the percent of students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program we are able to identify student populations with the greatest need,” shared Elizabeth J. Warner, MD, FACP, CPE, Chief Medical Officer.
“Last year, the health center at Union High School alone provided over 1,000 vaccinations—protecting students and the whole community,” added Warner. Traveling and school-based services in West Michigan deliver acute and chronic condition care, counseling, dental exams & x-rays, immunizations, primary & well-child visits, sexual health, sports physicals, unaccompanied minor intake exams, vision exams (including dilation & glasses), access to follow-up care and more.
“Nationally, teens with depression have more than doubled over the past decade. We are working to meet patients where they are physically and emotionally and leverage all opportunities to respond to mental health and substance use disorder needs. In 2023, our school-based mental health services in seven middle and high schools served 337 students. More school-based behavioral health services are on the way to address this rising need. School programs are a powerful way that Cherry Health improves the health of our communities, and we are growing,” Warner concluded.
If you were unable to attend the 2024 luncheon, you may still donate or text cherry to 50155. See an encore presentation of the event video below.
Presenting Sponsor
Primary Care Sponsors
On-Call Sponsors
Health Care Home Sponsors
Check-Up Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsor
This event is generously supported by sponsors that help us tell our story. Because of them, we can expand access to services while simultaneously inspiring more donors!