A New Access Point for Primary Care: The School-Based Wellness Center at the Pan American Academy Charter School

Abstract

Summary

Children in eastern North Philadelphia face a host of health challenges. They suffer from chronic illnesses at a higher rate than their counterparts in the five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania. They are more likely to be in fair or poor health. They are more likely to face issues of access to and affordability of care. Rates of coverage by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program are higher. Residing in a medically underserved area, these children often go without preventative or primary care. They may also lack a medical home. The establishment of a School-Based Wellness Center at Pan American Academy Charter School seeks to connect the educational home that already exists for these children with a functioning medical home. The Wellness Center is the result of a partnership among five Philadelphia entities: Education-Plus, Inc., the National Nursing Centers Consortium, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc., Pan American Academy Charter School and Temple University Department of Nursing, College of Health Professions and Social Work. The School-Based Wellness Center converts the traditional school nursing model into one centered on the role of the primary care nurse practitioner. Traditional school nursing focuses on managing illness and meeting state mandates on screenings and immunizations. The School-Based Wellness Center places a greater emphasis on overall wellness by providing health education, preventative and primary care.