L.P. Miles, Dobbs Elementary School Launch School-Based Community Health Centers

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dobbs-ribbon-cutting-2 — Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held this week at L.P. Miles Elementary (top) and Dobbs Elementary for new school-based health centers that will be housed at each school.

On a recent visit to L.P. Miles Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen complained about an earache. But the physician on duty at the school’s new school health center diagnosed and treated the problem and in no time she was feeling much better.

Thanks to the generosity of Emory University, Healing Community Centers and Southside Medical Center, ailing students and adults in the Miles and Dobbs Elementary School communities – some with earaches like Dr. Carstarphen – will not have to travel far for health services.

miles-ribbon-cutting-2 — The school health center at Miles Elementary was established through a partnership with Healing Community Centers.

An “oasis” in the middle of a desert. That’s the sentiment now that two school-based community health centers are open for business in southeast Atlanta (Dobbs) and southwest Atlanta (Miles). Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held Wednesday for the state-of-the-art facilities, located on the campuses of both schools. The centers provide a “health care oasis” in these communities. Each will offer physical health,dental health and emotional/behavioral health services with a licensed physician, dentist and behavioral specialist on staff throughout the day. The health care centers will be in operation Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“This will help improve our attendance because now our students can get the health services they need right here,” said Miles Principal Thalise Perry. “We can nip those illnesses in the bud. The wrap around services this health center will provide are what our school and this community needs.”

dobbs-ribbon-cutting-1 — Southside Medical Center serves as the principal partner to Dobbs Elementary School for its school health center.

Dobbs Principal Dr. Charnita West agreed. “Now our students and the members of this community have a place to go where they can get quality health services, and our school staff members can use the health centers as well,” West said. “This will help our student attendance and our staff attendance as well. This community needed a facility like this and I am so grateful that our school was chosen to house it.”