A school-based health clinic (SBHC) is a medical health center located inside a school, or in close proximity to a school. SBHCs have numerous benefits for students, teachers, families, and communities. St. George School-Based Health Clinic located at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School (TVEMS) offers students and all Tucker County residents primary medical services. Our SBHC strives to provide healthcare to high-risk, under-served adolescents and adults at TVEMS.

Here are 10 reasons we love our SBHC.

1. Students who may not have access to healthcare can be treated for various health issues. Our SBHC offers care on a sliding scale fee based on family income. To determine if you or your child or family is eligible for the sliding fee discount, please fill out the Sliding Fee Determination Form on our website or talk with a receptionist before your next appointment. 

2. Numerous services are offered at our SBHC including comprehensive physical examinations, immunizations, treatment of acute illnesses, reproductive healthcare and dental services, and management of chronic conditions. A full list of all services offered can be viewed on our website here. 

5. Affordable care is provided to all Tucker County residents, not just TVEMS students. Regular clinic hours of operations are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Because we have extended hours, you can also get evening and weekend care. 

3. Our providers meet young people where they are. For young children, making it to medical appointments can be hard. Having to leave school, figure out transportation, and navigating hectic schedules can be a significant barrier to getting healthcare services children need. The SBHC helps alleviate this issue by providing care to children just down the hall.

4. SBHCs reduce school absences and may improve school performance. By addressing health issues promptly on campus, students are less likely to miss school due to preventable or manageable health concerns. Some studies  also show links between SBHCs and improved grade point averages.

6. SBHCs offer increased access to preventive health services like routine immunizations, wellness visits, counseling services, and dental care. Researchers have found substantial increases in immunization compliance and other preventive services when offered through an on-site SBHC. 

7. There are benefits to students with asthma and diabetes, including better control of the condition with a reduction of symptoms, incidents, and emergency and/or hospital visits. 

8. SBHCs offer increased access to mental health support. Youth in America are experiencing a mental health crisis. Our community SBHC makes accessing behavioral health services easy for students when it may be difficult. They can also offer a spot for children to access mental health visits during the school day. Our SBHC behavioral health department also provides counseling services to our other local schools like Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School and Tucker County High School. 

9. SBHCs improve health education and access to sexual and reproductive health care. SBHCs serve as hubs for health education programs, promoting healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, and overall wellness among students. Accessing stigmatized care like birth control and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment can be especially difficult for young people. Our SBHC makes these services easy to access confidentially. 

10. Our SBHC can foster continuity of care by working in collaboration with students’ external healthcare providers, ensuring students receive consistent and coordinated medical attention.

All St. George Medical Clinics operate on a sliding scale discount fee making quality care affordable to all. Sliding fee options can be viewed here. The St. George School-Based Clinic is located at 138 Crestview Drive, Hambleton WV 26269, and can be reached by calling (304) 478-6000.