Pender High gets new healthcare center on campus

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A new school health center is open at Pender High School. It’s right on the school’s campus.

Health workers provide everything from check-ups to immunizations.

The Pender Alliance for Teen Health, Or PATH, describes The health centers as small working doctor’s offices.

They can do everything an acute care center can do and then some. There is also a therapist on hand three days a week.

They have a full-time nurse and a nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner goes between the two health centers.

PATH executive director Beth Gaglione says they’ve seen a great response saying this type of care works for students.

“As long as they’re with a care provider, to them it doesn’t matter if it’s a doctor or a nurse or a nurse practitioner or a nursing assistant, you know they’re getting the care that they need,” Gaglione said. “They’re talking to someone that really knows what their problems are and they really feel like they’re getting the highest level of care and they are.”

Pender High Principal Craig Baker says keeping students healthy is of the utmost importance.

“It can certainly have an impact on a high school student’s graduation,” Baker said.

This is the second on-campus Pender County Health Center opened by the Pender Alliance for Teen Health. Gaglione says this healthcare center will not only keep students healthy, but also foster healthy independence.

“We’re really teaching these kids to be advocates for their own health,” Gaglione said. “They really have to be not only advocates but understanding how the healthcare system works.”