On Monday, Portage Township Schools and NorthShore Health Centers held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of the PTS Employee Clinic and Wellness Center.
“This is indeed an event that has been a long time in the making,” said Dr. Richard Weigel, Superintendent of the Portage Township School Corporation. “It’s an event that is very exciting for the employees of Portage Township Schools.”
The PTS Employee Clinic and Wellness Center will serve the schools employees and families by providing routine and illness care with a licensed medical professional at no charge. The clinic aims to have as many same-day appointments as possible, which will save PTS employees from the cost of seeing healthcare professionals elsewhere.
PTS employees will be able to take advantage of the services and resources that NorthShore Health Centers offer to their patients to increase health and wellness and decrease the cost of medical care, including discounted prescriptions, along with the many benefits of being a Federally Qualified Health Center.
“As we began to figure out how to make this clinic possible, it would not have come about had it not been for a great woman who knows a lot about healthcare and someone who is willing to think outside the box to make it happen,” Weigel said in reference to NorthShore Health Centers CEO Jan Wilson.
“This was where it all began,” Wilson said. “I’m so thrilled that this has happened. In 1995, we noticed that a lot of kids were missing school who could not afford healthcare. These kids were going to lose credit so we felt very strongly that we needed to get some healthcare here in the school.”
“The hospital helped us in providing a nurse practitioner and she would come 20 hours to see the kids. It worked out wonderfully and the kids that we would’ve normally sent home we were able to keep in school - probably around 95% - and it was between 90-95% every year consistently that were able to stay in school.”
“The school has been the best partner in the world,” Wilson said. “I think it’s worked out phenomenally well. I just want to say that I’m so happy we were able to do this. It’s been our mission from the get go. This has always been where we started and this will always be my heart, and the kids, the community and the teachers -- this is what it’s all about.”
Andy Maletta, President of the PTS Board of Trustees, spoke about the collaborative effort that it took between the Portage Township Schools and NorthShore Health Centers to bring this project together.
“What a tremendous day it is today as we cut the ribbon for the Portage Township Schools Employee Clinic and Wellness Center!” said Maletta. “What this clinic can offer Portage Township School employees is of great significance. What I believe is most important is the example of what we can all do and accomplish by working together toward our common goals.”
“We are so fortunate to have found a partner. Someone who is already invested in our community and our schools so thank you to NorthShore for your partnership on this clinic.”
To find a NorthShore Health Center location near you and to find out about the services they provide, go to: http://www.northshorehealth.org/
