FirstHealth Montgomery County School Health Centers to Hold Open House and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

BISCOE – In the spirit of holiday giving, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Montgomery County Schools and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Montgomery County School Health Centers at East and West Middle Schools.

With help from a $499,988 grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the program was not only able to construct both new facilities, but also to give its professional staff the opportunity to incorporate new telehealth and videoconferencing technology into its operations.

“Without the School Health Centers, many of the children in Montgomery County would have no alternative for health care other than costly emergency room care,” says Family Nurse Practitioner Gina Smith, FNP-C. “Fortunately, the Centers provide both acute and preventive care regardless of the ability to pay.”

The services of the FirstHealth Montgomery County School Health Centers are available to all children enrolled in Montgomery County public schools. Seventy-eight percent of the children served through the School Health Centers program are either uninsured or covered by Medicaid or N.C. Health Choice.

“Many rely on the School Health Centers as their sole source of care,” Smith says. “Now, with our larger, state-of-the art centers, we can do this more efficiently and increase access to much-needed health care for our students and staff.”

The events will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 18. from 2 to 4 p.m. at East Middle School in Biscoe and from 4 to 6 p.m. at West Middle School in Mt. Gilead. Sweet holiday treats will be provided to attendees.

“It’s only fitting to have this event during the holiday season,” says Rae Williams, MSN, administrative director of FirstHealth Medical Practice Management. “The facilities are a special gift to Montgomery County Schools and the children they serve.”