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MASH Team
 
MASH Clinic opens at MA for its 2nd year
08/30/2007 

Who among us has said, “Man, it sure is tough to be a teenager today!”  Those of you who agree with that statement are absolutely correct.  Growing up today is different than in generations past, and it is hard, sometimes very hard, to be a teenager today.  In keeping with that theme, it is also very hard to be a parent, teacher, or other adult who works with teens.  The issues facing our youth today are challenging, and many teens need extra support in order to be successful and reach their potential.  MSAD #67 and Health Access Network (HAN) recognize the importance of keeping teens healthy, and offer additional health services and social support to the students at Mattanawcook Academy (MA) through Mattanawcook Academy’s Student Health (MASH) clinic.

For the second year, MASH, a school based health center, will provide a wide range of health services on site at Mattanawcook Academy.  This clinic is operated by HAN, with support from an annual grant awarded from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and is open daily, during school hours.  This health clinic offers medical care, oral health care, and mental health services to students who attend MA.  Its goals are to improve student health, provide support, teach teens the importance of utilizing preventive health services, and ultimately to help MA students remain healthy, which will have a direct impact on their success in school.  On site access to healthcare has been proven to help teens succeed in life and at school by keeping them healthy, in school, and ready to learn.  In order to help MA students succeed in life and keep them ready to learn, MASH staff, including Norma Dill, MSAD # 67 School Nurse, Joye Jewell, HAN Family Nurse Practitioner, Jean L’Italien, HAN Dental Hygienist, and Jaime Boyington, HAN Clinical Counselor, are available, with parental consent, to provide health services.

Last year, the MASH clinic provided more than 300 visits to MA students, and was successful in enrolling almost 30% of the student population.  This year, it is projected that enrollment and utilization of these health services will increase, as more students and parents become aware of and learn how to access help from the MASH clinic.  Services are available to all students, with parental consent, and can be used during the hours they are in school.  “Using on-site health care offers a unique opportunity for MA students to receive healthcare at school, reducing the time they spend out of class and it eases the burden on parents to take time off from work to obtain a medical appointment,” says Boyington, who also serves as the clinic director.  A student can often be seen by walking into the clinic and asking for help.  They can also be scheduled for an appointment by any HAN medical office.

Enrollment and consent forms will be sent home with all MA students on the first day of school.  It is very important these forms be returned to school as soon as possible, which will allow the staff to meet with each student who is enrolled and explain the services that are available to them through the health clinic.  MASH staff notify the student’s parent and primary care physician when services are provided at school.  This communication assures that care is provided in a consistent way.

MASH will expand its services this school year by offering immunizations to college bound seniors.  MASH will also distribute a bi-monthly student health newsletter and quarterly parent newsletter, and assure that each enrolled student has had or is scheduled for a biennial physical exam (which is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics).  Additionally, HAN clinics will offer appointments at the MASH clinic, making scheduling easier and more convenient for MA students and parents.

If you have questions or would like more information about MASH, please contact Jaime Boyington at 794-6711, extension 3334.  We look forward to helping you and your student stay healthy during the 2007-2008 school year!