The Canton-based Aultman health system will begin operating two new health centers at Tuscarawas County schools this year, joining similar clinics at other schools in the region.
A $2.8 million health center will open at Tuscarawas Valley Local School District in Zoarville and a $1.9 million health center will open on the grounds of Claymont High School in Uhrichsville. Both were funded through Gov. Mike DeWine’s Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative.
“At Aultman, we’re proud of the tremendous impact these school-based facilities have already had in rural communities, particularly among students, Michelle Antulis, executive director of rural health clinics for Aultman, said in a prepared statement. “Our school-based health clinics greatly improve the health care options and services available to these Ohio communities, as well as creating greater access to health care for the Ohioans who live in those areas. We look forward to continuing to expand the services we’re able to provide.”
Aultman offers on-site clinics at four schools and telehealth services at eight schools in Carroll, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties.
Tuscarawas Valley Superintendent Derek Varansky said the clinic is expected to be operational on the first day of class.
The clinic will be located in a portion of the former high school building and will be open to students, staff and community members. Varansky said it will be a primary care facility. Members of the community will need to make an appointment for a visit. Staff will include a full-time nurse practitioner and three other medical staff.
In addition, the Tuscarawas Valley district is spending $2.1 million to install artificial turf in the football stadium and the baseball field and $214,000 for new stadium lights. The stadium work will be done before the first home football game in September. Funding came from several companies and foundations, the athletic boosters and private donors. The Board of Education covered the remainder of the cost.
Once work is completed on the health clinic, work will begin on construction of a room for the golf team in the old high school. It will house a golf simulator, which was also paid for with donations.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Aultman operating 2 new health clinics at schools in Tuscarawas County
Reporting by Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
