By LISA BULTHUIS

Nurse Practitioner

There are lots of exciting changes happening at the school-based health centers this year. Now sponsored by Community Clinical Services (CCS) of Sisters of Charity Health System, we have also re-opened the health center at Lewiston Middle School. We provide services at both the middle school and high school every day. If no one answers immediately when you call, leave a message; we check our messages often.

What is a school-based health center? First of all, we are not here to replace your primary care provider; we can, however, see students at school so they don’t have to miss class, and you don’t have to leave work or home. This can be helpful when it is impossible to see your doctor in time (for a sports physical, for example), or at a convenient time.

As a nurse practitioner, I am a registered nurse with a master’s degree in family and community health. I diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries, and I provide preventive care like check-ups and vaccines. I can also write prescriptions for medication. I have worked at the school-based health centers in Lewiston for four years.

What services does the health center provide? We can do simple labs, like check for strep throat, urinary tract infection, and anemia. We have vaccines available, and they are given to students who need them free of charge.

Who can use the health center? Any student at LMS or LHS/LRTC who returns the required paperwork, signed by a parent or guardian, can be seen in our centers. You don’t need to have MaineCare or private insurance; there are no income guidelines. We are here for all students.

How do you enroll for health center services? An enrollment packet was sent home to all students at the beginning of the year. If you missed yours, please call us and we will cheerfully send you another! There is a consent form that has two sides, one for insurance information and the other for family and medical history. There is another form that reviews medical privacy and explains who has access to your records. We keep records separate from school health records. No one else has access to your student’s chart. We take privacy very seriously.

There is no charge to enroll students in the health center. We do charge fees for students who see the nurse practitioner for services that would normally be billed in a doctor’s office, like sick visits, check-ups, and injury evaluation. We will forward these bills on to your insurance provider. We accept MaineCare and many insurance plans. We don’t charge for visits to give vaccines or common over-the-counter medication. No one will be refused services because they can’t afford to pay. We don’t collect money at the health center.

We had open houses during the school open houses, but welcome parents to tour the center any time we are open. Please call us if you want to set up a time to meet us.

We appreciate Central Maine Medical Center’s Family Practice Residency for its many years of support. We look forward to continuing to teach resident doctors about school health centers and adolescent health care. We appreciate CCS for adopting us. Finally, we thank you, parents and guardians; we look forward to caring for your students, and recognize the trust you put in us by allowing your children to see us.