Wicomico High School officials encourage students to use School Based Wellness Center

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Wicomico High School is ensuring health in our own backyard.

The School-Based Wellness Center has a new provider. School principal, Dr. Undrea Blake, said Wi-Hi is ready to hit the ground running in the new year with student health.

“It’s a great opportunity for our kids to be able to get services they may otherwise not get, due to transportation, due to their family financial needs. But, they’re able to come here and get the same treatment that they would at any doctors’ offices,” Dr. Blake said.

Chesapeake Healthcare took over operations at the facility in early December. Since then, family nurse practitioner, Kellie Noonan said students have been using the portable, stocked with everything a normal doctor’s office would have, bringing service to anyone who needs care.

“Each season, it’s a mad rush to try to get into your pediatrician’s office,” Noonan said. “I’ll be in at the school, so instead of having to get an appointment, the children can come over, right from the school, and can get it done in 15 to 20 minutes.”

But it’s not just students that come to the wellness center. Noonan said parents and teachers also come to get care, and since relaunching, they’ve seen an influx in those adults.

“We just opened last week, and I’ve seen more of the staff than I have seen of the children,” Noonan said. “It’s just easy; instead of having to call your doctor and get an appointment, all you have to do is walk over here.”

To ensure a successful transition, Dr. Blake is hoping students will encourage each other to take advantage of this valuable resource.

“I would just encourage my kids to use what we have. Come and be a part of the wellness center. Use it for when you need to use it, spread it around to the other kids, because it is something that is useful. And, for some kids, it may change their lives,” Dr. Blake said.