ELIDA — Residents in Elida and the surrounding area have a new option for receiving acute medical care with the opening of the Mercy Health-Elida School Health Center on Monday at the Elida Fieldhouse.
The clinic, located in what used to be a coach’s office off the visitor’s locker room, handles basic health care services, such as minor acute care or wellness care, such as receiving a flu or pneumonia vaccine. A certified nurse practitioner will oversee patient care, along with a licensed practical nurse who will perform initial assessments.
Clinic manager Mindy Wise is hopeful the clinic will offer another alternative to residents seeking medical care, especially in a school district that has noted high health-related absence rates for students and faculty.
“Mercy Health St. Rita’s wanted to extend our mission and provide another access point for health care,” she said. “We found that there was a need out here in the Elida district. We know that kids who are healthy learn better, and we wanted to be a part of that.”
The intention is not to have the clinic replace a primary care physician, according to certified nurse practicioner Ashton Crook, who will oversee the clinic on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is named in January.
“What we’ll do is help treat their acute needs, but if they don’t have a primary care doctor, we will refer them to someone who is accepting new patients,” he said. “If they do have primary care, we will refer them back to their doctor. We’re not here to take their place.”
Along with treating illnesses and other maladies, Crook will also be on hand for physicals and some occupational health concerns, he said. For him, it is gratifying to see this clinic in use.
“It was an exciting opportunity to get a project like this started from the ground up,” he said. “It also helps the community, in that there is a big need here in this area.”
Clinic hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays. To make an appointment, call 419-339-0116.
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