2023 Report to the Community

Stories of our work in the community

Throughout Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, MedStar Health works with communities to increase healthcare access and provide education. Our goal is to improve the health and well-being of all residents as we serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities.

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  Creating game-changing, lifesaving CPR videos.

  Pictured above: Training the community on Bystander CPR and AED.

  During a cardiac emergency, each passing second could mean the difference between life and death. No one knows that better than Jude Maboné.

  The reigning Miss District of Columbia suffered her first heart attack while on a six-mile run when she was just 16 years old. She would ultimately experience five more heart attacks over the following two years before her condition was properly diagnosed and treated.

  “Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of student-athletes. Having been a student-athlete myself, I wanted to find a way to help protect other people,” says the former cross country and college track athlete.

  A video on MedStar Health social media featured an educational campaign launched to address racial and gender disparities in individuals who receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a bystander. It caught her attention. “When a friend showed me a video of MedStar Health physicians teaching CPR with local athletes, I knew I wanted to get involved.”

  That’s why, when she earned her title in 2023, she wanted to use her platform with the Miss America organization to highlight the importance of CPR during a cardiac arrest, and how easy it is for bystanders to administer it.

  A 2022 study by the American College of Cardiology revealed that women and Black and Hispanic adults are least likely to receive CPR during a cardiac event outside of a hospital.

  “We want to address what’s really preventing people from performing CPR in our communities,” says MedStar Health critical care physician David Gordon, MD. “Are they worried about hurting someone? Are they scared they might do it wrong? Are they concerned about legal action? All of those fears are addressed in these videos.”

  In addition to showing proper CPR techniques and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), the three-minute videos remind viewers that Good Samaritan laws are in place to protect bystanders who try to help people in distress.

  
  

  

  
  To help deliver the lifesaving message, MedStar Health turned to athletes from the Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics, Washington Wizards, and Georgetown Women’s Soccer teams.

  “Seeing athletes perform CPR and use an AED in the videos shows that you do not need a medical background to do it,” says Dr. Gordon, who appears in a video with Julia Leas, an Athletic and Academic All-American with Georgetown Women’s Soccer. “Everything you need to know to perform bystander CPR is in the videos—there’s no need to take a CPR class.”

  To expand the audiences these videos could reach, Maboné offered to leverage her knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) to create an additional video for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The video features athletes from Gallaudet University, the world’s only liberal arts university for deaf, deafblind and hard-of-hearing students.

  “The more than 20,000 Washingtonians who use ASL as their primary form of communication deserve to have this information made accessible to them in their own language,” says Maboné, who learned ASL to communicate with her childhood best friend. “I’m glad MedStar Health saw the value in making the videos as accessible and inclusive as possible.”

  In addition to showing the videos online and in MedStar Health hospitals, clinics and other facilities, Dr. Gordon says he hopes to get local sports teams to play the videos on the jumbotron during large sporting events.

  “These are skills that hopefully you will never have to use,” he says. “But, if necessary, you can change a life—and save a life.”

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  Educating the community to be Stroke Smart.

  Pictured above: Angel Spaulding is embracing life after a health scare.

   

  When Angel Spaulding noticed a sudden change in her vision while driving one afternoon, instead of brushing it off as just another sign of aging, she asked her grandson to take her to the Emergency Department.

  “We were in the car, and suddenly, the road started looking like it was tilting sideways. My body was telling me that something wasn’t right, so I listened,” says the 62-year-old Leonardtown, Maryland resident.

  Spaulding’s grandson drove her to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, where imaging tests revealed a blood clot at the base of her brain. She was experiencing a stroke.

  “It turns out that getting to the hospital as quickly as I did may have saved my life,” she says. “The doctors said that if I had gone home and slept it off, there’s no telling what would have happened.”

  A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen to the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth largest cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of disability, affecting people of all ages, genders, and races. 

  In May 2023, the St. Mary’s County Commissioners Office proclaimed St. Mary’s County as Stroke Smart, thanks in part to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital education and awareness efforts to teach the community the signs of stroke and encouraging them to call 911 as soon as possible. The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) has also designated MedStar St. Mary’s a primary stroke center.

  “With a stroke, every minute matters,” says Jennifer Sams, RN, Stroke Smart coordinator, MedStar St. Mary’s. “The earlier a patient receives the proper medication, the earlier the blood flow is restored, and the less likely they will have permanent brain damage.” 

  According to the American Stroke Association, patients who receive tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)—the medicine that breaks up blood clots blocking blood flow to your brain—within four and a half hours of the first signs of stroke have the greatest chance of recovery. The more time that passes without treatment, the more brain cells die, which means a greater risk of long-term disabilities.

  Sams says that many people delay going to the hospital because they assume the symptoms they’re observing are caused by something less severe than a stroke.

  “When they start experiencing symptoms, some people decide to get some rest and hope they feel better in the morning or they’ll plan to call their primary care doctor in a few days,” says Sams. “That’s why we’re getting the word out and letting the community know exactly what to look for and what to do.”

  Stroke education efforts encourage using the “BE FAST” acronym—balance, eyes, face, arms, speech, and time—to identify stroke symptoms. (see infographic)

   

  

   

  Our team at MedStar St. Mary’s participates in county fairs, health expo and fire department events throughout the community. This awareness campaign includes outreach to even the youngest community members in St. Mary’s public and private schools, teaching students how to recognize stroke symptoms in their parents, grandparents, teachers, and loved ones.

  “A lot of our community outreach and education focuses on ways to prevent a stroke, like eating healthier and keeping diabetes and blood pressure under control,” Sams says. “Learning how to identify a stroke is just as important.”

  Former stroke patient Spaulding agrees and says that acting immediately on her suspected stroke was a lifesaving decision.

  “I encourage anyone who feels any of the sudden symptoms of a stroke to take it very seriously,” says Spaulding, who, because she arrived at the hospital just 30 minutes after experiencing symptoms, was able to get the treatment she needed to make a full recovery. “Don’t brush it off and think it’s nothing, then end up regretting your decision.”

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  Diabetes prevention education takes the field.

  Pictured above: Raising awareness of Type 2 Diabetes risks.

   

  As Baltimore Ravens fans flocked toward M&T Bank stadium under a sunny game-day sky last season, event staff answered typical fan questions like, "Which gate should we enter?" and "Where are the restrooms?" Just a few steps away, a team from MedStar Health was also on hand, answering a different kind of question: "What is my risk for type 2 diabetes?"

  According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 1 in 3 American adults is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and over 7 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and do not know it. 

   

  

   

  To raise awareness about early detection and prevention of type 2 diabetes, MedStar Health joined the Purple Ticket to Health initiative in partnership with Novo Nordisk, the Government Employees Health Association and the Baltimore Ravens.

  “Each Ravens home game attracts over 70,000 fans, so it presents an incredible opportunity to reach members of the community of all ages,” says Phyllis Gray, assistant vice president of Care Transformation at MedStar Health. “Chronic diseases like diabetes don’t just impact the elderly, and it can affect entire families.”

  To drive this message home and to encourage community members to find out their risk for developing the disease, a team of MedStar Health associates is available before every Ravens home game along RavensWalk, the bustling and highly popular tailgating walkway spanning from Oriole Park at Camden Yards to M&T Bank stadium. Associates from MedStar Health offer fans an opportunity to take a 60-second online diabetes risk assessment. The ADA developed the assessment to use factors like age, gender, family history, race, and frequency of physical activity to determine the results. Fans who complete the screening are entered to win Ravens prizes like game tickets and autographed merchandise.

  “The response from fans has been great,” Gray says, adding that anyone who prefers to discuss health matters in a more private setting is encouraged to scan a QR code allowing them to take the assessment at home. “Even those who may already have diabetes are taking the assessment for their family members and loved ones to find out their risk for developing it.”

  The ADA considers diabetes an epidemic, both nationwide and in the state of Maryland. In Maryland, 11.8% of the adult population has a confirmed diabetes diagnosis—and 33.7% of adults have prediabetes with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. In addition to profound health implications, diabetes can pose a financial burden that may impede access to necessary care and affect overall quality of life.

  Participating in an initiative like Purple Ticket to Health aligns with the Ravens’ commitment to supporting the overall wellness of the Flock, the nickname given to devoted Ravens fans. Tight end Mark Andrews, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, serves as a spokesperson for the initiative and has been a visible and vocal advocate for the cause.

  “We wanted to join forces with MedStar Health to prioritize our community and their health on game day and every day,” says Nick Berry, client services coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. “This is a great partnership that will continue to grow and make an impact within the Ravens Flock and throughout Maryland.”

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  Specialized care for seriously ill patients. Peace of mind for their caregivers.

  Pictured above: Getting needed support for long-term illnesses.

   

  After COVID-19 triggered a series of critical health challenges, including several strokes, sepsis, heart and respiratory complications, and a three-week-long coma that left him unable to speak or move, Jose Bosques’ family faced decisions that no family ever wishes to face. Jose needed highly specialized care and attention—and so did his family.

  His fiancée and seven siblings not only required guidance in navigating complicated medical issues and decisions along Jose’s journey, but they also sought comfort, understanding and assurance that their collective wishes would be respected and upheld. They needed palliative care.

  Palliative Care is specialized medical care for patients with a serious illness—including chronic heart failure, kidney disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other illnesses that progressively worsen over time. The focus is on relieving symptoms and stress and improving the quality of life for the patient and the family.

  For the Bosques family, the Palliative Care team at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center served as a lifeline of support and ensured that the family’s voice was heard throughout Jose’s challenging journey.

  “The Palliative Care team provided not just medical expertise but also compassionate guidance and relief from the emotional challenges we faced daily,” says Ada Torres, Jose’s sister. “In those tough decision-making moments, the Palliative Care team stepped in and took the time to thoroughly explain available options and make sure that our family’s values and preferences were respected, even during the most difficult decisions. This level of care is rare in the hectic environment of a hospital.” 

   

  

   

  “At this stage, patients want to know what’s happening with their bodies, what their treatment options are, and what they can expect moving forward. We paint a clear and realistic picture for them, even if it’s not the outcome they want to hear,” says Kristin Forner, MD, Palliative Care program director, MedStar Health. “Knowing what’s ahead—and knowing they’ve got a supportive team along the way—can be a great source of comfort to patients and families.”

  Palliative Care is a relatively new specialty, says Dr. Forner, and is often mistaken for hospice care. Although the two are similar, hospice is provided for a patient with a terminal illness whose doctor believes he or she has less than six months to live. Palliative Care, on the other hand, can be helpful at any stage of illness and can improve a patient’s quality of life for days, weeks, months, or years.

  “Patients and families who aren’t familiar with Palliative Care will often assume it’s the same as hospice, which automatically makes them think they’re dying,” she says. “But once we introduce ourselves and explain who we are and all the ways we can help, they appreciate the support we provide.”

  The Bosques family relied heavily on the support from our team, which came during a time in the pandemic when families were granted limited access to their hospitalized loved ones.

  “The Palliative Care team served as an additional set of eyes and ears for us when we could not be with Jose. They were our advocates and ensured we maintained control over his care at all times,” said sister Maria Bosques. “Even when COVID-19 restrictions prevented us from being present physically, we knew that Jose was in capable hands.” 

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  Empowering new parents on their breastfeeding journey.

  Pictured Above: Supporting new families with infant education.

  
  Expectant mom Laura Somerville felt personally dedicated to breastfeeding and sought a hospital that would understand and provide education that aligned with her breastfeeding goals.

  “I didn’t want a hospital that pushed formula on me or made me feel like I’m not cut out for breastfeeding,” says the 35-year-old first-time mother. She sought an ally who supported her every step of the way on her breastfeeding journey and empowered her with the education she needed to meet her goals.

  During a visit to MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center a few months before delivery, Laura and her husband found the assurance they were seeking.

  “During the hospital tour, we were introduced to all of the amazing support services available to us through the hospital, like breastfeeding classes and a lactation consultant,” she says. “That’s when we learned about Baby-Friendly USA.”

  

  “Taking the steps to earn the Baby-Friendly designation shows patients, staff, and the community that we are doing everything we can to increase the initiation, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding in our community,” says Charlene “Sparkle” Lopez, coordinator of Lactation Services, MedStar Health. “Our goal is to be instrumental in supporting the health of the women and children in our community.”

  Lopez stresses that being a Baby-Friendly hospital doesn’t mean all mothers who deliver at the hospital are forced into breastfeeding—nor are they made to feel guilty if they don’t.

  “That’s a common misconception,” she says. “It’s all about bonding with your baby and learning safe feeding practices. Moms who decide not to breastfeed are educated on safe formula preparation to help decrease any health risks for the baby.”

  MedStar Southern Maryland achieved the international Baby-Friendly hospital designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, an organization known for setting the highest standards for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. There are 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, but only 604 hospitals in America have achieved the designation.

  Following Baby-Friendly requirements, our Women’s and Newborn Center staff at MedStar Southern Maryland were trained to support breastfeeding, including placing babies skin-to-skin with parents, helping moms latch their babies onto the breast, knowing how to set up a breast pump to establish and maintain milk supply, and encouraging parents to keep their babies in-room throughout their stay. Nurses were required to complete an additional 15 hours of classroom instruction for this designation.

  After discharge from the hospital, parents receive community breastfeeding resources, can attend breastfeeding classes and are encouraged to contact the lactation team whenever they have questions or they simply need a pep talk.

  “First-time breast feeders, tend to be a little anxious,” Lopez says. “We spend a lot of time reassuring them that they are doing everything right and are not alone. We are only a phone call away.”

  Having convenient access to this level of support has made the breastfeeding journey much smoother for Laura Somerville and her daughter, who is now four years old.

  “As first-time parents, my husband and I were overwhelmed,” says the elementary school teacher. “But knowing that everyone at the hospital had our family’s best interests in mind gave us such wonderful peace of mind. They respected that we were committed to breastfeeding and did everything they could to help us.”

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  Forming bonds between health care, law enforcement, and underserved communities.

  Pictured above: Partnering to share positive messaging at local events.

  David Wilkerson wants to be a welcome presence in his community.

  As an officer with the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Wilkerson knows many community members’ perceptions of law enforcement and wants to change them.

  “Every interaction with police shouldn’t be bad,” says Wilkerson, who works in the MPD Youth and Family Services Division. “When we’re out in the streets, connecting with people and bringing them resources they need, we’re showing them that we’re all one community. But it’s up to us, as law enforcement, to take that step and reach out.”

  Beat the Street—a long-running program designed to strengthen bonds in D.C’s most underserved communities, addressing critical issues such as violence and food insecurity—is one way MPD conducts outreach in the community.

  Now in its 20th year, this summertime series of events is an opportunity for community members to experience the lighter side of the police department while enjoying dancing, food, and musical performances featuring local bands, including a unique go-go/funk band composed entirely of law enforcement officers. MPD, social service agencies, vendors, and community organizations, including MedStar Washington Hospital Center, set up street-festival booths to engage and connect with everyone in attendance.

  In 2023, our team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center partnered with Beat the Streets for six events throughout Wards 4, 6, and 8. Over 300 community members stopped by the MedStar Health booth to sign up for free cancer screenings, receive free blood pressure checks, learn about managing chronic illnesses, and get connected to neighborhood resources such as food pantries, housing support, job placement assistance and addiction counseling.

  

  “This opportunity for healthcare providers and community members to have conversations in a safe space helps us establish trust and makes community members more comfortable asking questions about their health,” says Andrea Miranda, community health outreach manager, MedStar Health. “Whether we’re at a local park, recreation center, or a senior center, we find that they’re more willing to share their concerns in a setting that’s more relaxed and familiar than a hospital.”

  Officer Wilkerson says the MPD partnership with MedStar Health is a natural fit.

  “We are all first responders serving the same community in times of crisis—from working together during COVID-19 to responding to violence in the community,” he says. “We’ve developed a great relationship and mutual respect between my department and MedStar Health.”

  Working in a police department in a big city, Officer Wilkerson says he has seen his share of violence. But he has also seen a strong sense of community and togetherness, especially at events like Beat the Streets. Miranda couldn’t agree more.

  “These events are truly happy gatherings with music, food, and fellowship. People come by really excited about engaging with us,” she says. “It’s especially great to see MPD come out and interact with the community in such a fun way.”

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  Expanding access to outpatient Mental Health Services.

  Pictured above: A connected approach to support mental health needs.
  
  

  Lois Jacobs, a 67-year-old former bus and tractor-trailer driver, completed her treatment for substance abuse on June 2, 2002. She credits the mental and behavioral health services she received as one of the major contributors to her 21 years of living drugfree.

  In her role as peer recovery specialist at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Jacobs advocates for making outpatient mental health services accessible to more community members for as long as they need.

  “When I talk to patients and ask them what caused them to start using drugs, more often than not it’s due to trauma that they haven’t yet addressed,” Jacobs says. “And to cope, they’ve been self-medicating with drugs and alcohol instead of getting help from trained mental health professionals. This is why our services are necessary.”

  MedStar Union Memorial recently expanded its Mental and Behavioral Health offerings through a partnership with Sheppard Pratt Solutions, part of Sheppard Pratt, the largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health, substance abuse and other related services in the country. Prioritizing a holistic care approach—proactively addressing patients’ social needs and more equitable access to services through transportation, food and housing—MedStar Health developed a new 4,890-square-foot specialized facility within the hospital. The programs are staffed by an experienced, dedicated team of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, case managers, peer recovery specialists, and therapists from various disciplines. Our team supports patients through treatment for various disorders, including chemical dependency, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

   

  

   

  “I am thrilled that Mental and Behavioral Health Services were integrated into the core of the hospital to serve our community,” says Elias Shaya, MD, medical director of the Baltimore region and senior associate executive director for Behavioral Health Services at MedStar Health. “It sends a critical message that behavioral health is just as much a part of our wellbeing as physical health.”

  In additional to the 18 treatment rooms and various meeting spaces to address the increased demand for Mental and Behavioral Health Services in the surrounding community, the facility also helps coordinate care with specialists.

  “We are all one team taking care of our patients’ needs comprehensively,” Dr. Shaya says.

  Sharing stories through recovery support group settings is another critical aspect of the comprehensive care patients experience through the outpatient Mental and Behavioral Health Services at MedStar Union Memorial.

  “The social encouragement and understanding that comes from others who are dealing with similar challenges fosters a sense of community and healing,” says Joseph Levin, LCSW-C, program director of the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs at MedStar Union Memorial. “When patients are hearing stories from people just like them who have been through what they’re going through, it helps break down the stigma attached to mental and behavioral health,” Levin says. “It validates what they feel, builds camaraderie, normalizes their symptoms, and gives them a voice.”

  “We try to expand the patients’ resources and show them we have professionals in every area of health care to help them,” Jacobs says. “We treat each patient as an individual with their own unique needs, and we all work hand-in-hand to make sure those needs are met.”

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  Going above and beyond to deliver critical patient care in times of emergency.

  Pictured above: Providing transport services during critical care events.

  On the Fourth of July in 2021, there was more in the air than just fireworks.

  Annapolis resident Kevin Brooks suffered a major heart attack that day, requiring emergency transport via helicopter to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he received the lifesaving medical attention he needed. Today, he is incredibly grateful for his “miracle flight” thanks to our MedSTAR Transport team, the air medical service division of MedStar Health.

  “If it wasn’t for MedSTAR Transport, I wouldn’t be sitting here today,” says Brooks, a 70-year-old musician. “They are the unsung heroes.”

  With its first official flight in 1983, our MedSTAR Transport service became the mid-Atlantic region’s first hospital-based air medical service. Founded to deliver critical care to ill and injured patients and ensure every patient is always close advanced care, the MedSTAR Transport fleet now includes state-of-the-art medevac helicopters and ambulances.

  “We bring advanced medical care to patients where they are,” says Krista Wall, vice president and program director of MedSTAR Transport. “Whether they’re at the scene of an accident or at a smaller community hospital that may not have the specialized services a patient needs, we bring the most highly trained medical teams directly to the patient and get them to care as quickly as possible.”

  Our MedSTAR Transport team operates out of three bases in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., regions that are strategically located to provide support to patients in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

   

  

   

  The proximity to our nation's capital is an advantage, especially in times of crisis. The impact was particularly evident during the events of 9/11. We were among the first medevac helicopters to land at the Pentagon, providing immediate critical aid to injured workers. As the sole civilian medevac program in the region permitted to sustain this vital mission during the closure of the national airspace, our transport fleet operated seamlessly as a frontline responder in the days following the attacks.

  “We’re here not only to help patients who need us every day, but we’re also prepared to respond quickly in times of crisis in the community,” Wall says.

  The crisis-response resources proved invaluable during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when transferring patients became extremely crucial. The services provided by MedSTAR Transport helped ensure no single MedStar Health hospital received too many patients and that patients with varying medical conditions could get the care they required.

  Our transport team provides far more than point-A-to-point-B services. A typical MedSTAR Transport flight or ambulance crew consists of a pilot or driver, a critical-care nurse, and a critical-care paramedic, all trained in delivering comprehensive critical care and general patient services. The flight crew may include additional members, such as a physician and a respiratory therapist, for specialized tasks like transporting infants to the neonatal intensive care unit.

  “Our teams meet the highest level of qualifications and training to bring patients the clinical-level of care you would find in an intensive care unit,” Wall says. “They are skilled in providing care across a wide range of diagnoses and injuries.”

  Our MedSTAR Transport program began as a single-helicopter program over 40 years ago, and today operates three air bases, two ambulance ground bases, and transports more than 6,000 patients each year.

  As one of the “lucky” patients, Brooks attributes our transport team with the health and quality of life he enjoys today.

  “When you see that yellow and blue helicopter [in the sky], you know someone’s lucky up there,” Brooks says. “For all of us who have taken that miracle flight, I want to say thank you.”

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  School-based health centers: Increasing health care access for local students.

  Pictured above: Bringing healthcare to non-traditional locations.

  At his annual physical last year, a Washington, D.C., teenager received much more than a clean bill of health.

  During this routine visit, the Roosevelt High School student revealed to his healthcare provider that his home had been without heat or electricity for four months during the peak of winter. He said his family had no way of restoring power to their home because illness prevented his grandmother, his primary caregiver, from working.

  With this information, his healthcare team reached out to partners with Georgetown University’s Health Justice Alliance, who worked on the family’s behalf to get their utilities restored, reduce their debt and enroll in public programs to help fill gaps in social needs.

  “We were able to use our resources to help turn things around for his family,” says Ana Caskin, MD, associate medical director of Community Pediatrics, MedStar Health.

  This unique, life-changing appointment was not conducted at a traditional hospital or health clinic. Instead, it took place just a few steps from the student’s classroom.

  In partnership with the District of Columbia Department of Health, the Division of Community Pediatrics at MedStar Health operates two school-based health centers at D.C. Public Schools—one at Anacostia High School in Ward 8 and the other at Roosevelt High School in Ward 4.

  The health centers allow students convenient access to high-quality care without worrying about finding transportation to an appointment, missing school or lacking insurance. Each school-based health center offers various services for medical, oral health, mental health, and social needs, as well as referrals for additional community-based resources.

   

  

   

  Families are not billed for care, and if they do not have insurance, a case manager is available to help students apply. “The goal is to improve access to healthcare for students,” says Dr. Caskin. “We want to remove barriers for the kids in our community who face the most challenges to getting care.”

  A patient services coordinator, nurse, and primary care provider (pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) are on hand full-time at each center every school day throughout the year. The social worker divides their time between school locations, and a nurse midwife visits each school twice a month to provide prenatal and reproductive health care.

  Dr. Caskin says this convenient accessibility helps foster stronger connections between students and their healthcare providers, a connection that might not occur as often in traditional hospitals or clinics.

  “The students see us on a regular basis every day—in the hallways, in the parking lot, around the school—so there are more opportunities for us to build trust,” says Dr. Caskin, who estimates the centers serve about 12 students each school day.

  Though students do not need a parent present to receive care, a signed consent form from a parent or legal guardian is required to access the full spectrum of services. Dr. Caskin says children under 18 can consent to their own health care if it relates to reproductive health, mental health or substance abuse counseling.

  “Our families are very grateful to have this valuable resource available to them,” Dr. Caskin says. “We’re hoping to change the way medicine looks in the future.”

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