Friday, July 01, 2016
Teenagers participating in the Beaumont School Wellness Program - Truman, know an appetizing opportunity when they see one.
That’s why even students without health challenges have asked to participate in the diabetes nutrition support group, made available through a partnership with Beaumont Hospital, Taylor and the Taylor School District.
“Our team is passionate about changing these students lives for the better by addressing all of their health and wellness needs,” said Betty Priskorn, vice president, Community Health and Outreach. “We are laser-focused on building healthier individuals and healthier communities.”
As a result of these efforts, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association recognized Beaumont Hospital, Taylor with its 2016 Ludwig Community Benefit Award June 30.
Named after former MHA president, Patric Ludwig, the award is presented to member organizations integrally involved in collaborative programs improving the health and well-being of area residents. Winners also receive $3,000 from the MHA Health Foundation to assist in their health improvement efforts.
“We are truly honored to receive such recognition from the MHA for our community wellness efforts,” said Betty Priskorn, vice president, Community Health and Outreach, Beaumont Health. “Our program’s staff works tirelessly to improve the health and lives of Taylor teens and I am so delighted to see their efforts highlighted at a statewide level.”
Most of the children attending the school, live in a medically underserved area that includes large numbers of uninsured and Medicaid patients.
Since November 2011, the school wellness program has provided free, on-site health services during all school hours by Beaumont registered nurses and licensed social work counselors. In order to meet the health needs of all students, the Taylor School District provides the program with additional nursing support.
Wellness program nurses provide services for acute illness and first aid; blood pressure monitoring; HIV testing and counseling; immunization assessment and administration; eyeglass certificates; dental referrals; individual health education and counseling; management of chronic conditions; and risk assessments. The social work counselors provide students with individual mental health services and family counseling based on their needs.
More than 8,000 medical visits and 2,600 mental health visits have taken place at the school, and 97 percent of these visits resulted in the student returning to class and staying in school. Many of these vulnerable children would be unlikely to access physical or mental health services without the on-site services the partnership provides.
For more information about the school wellness program at Harry S. Truman High School, contact Jeff Cook, director, child & adolescent health Beaumont Health at 734-942-2273 ext.224 or email him at jeff.cook@beaumont.org.