Diego was 4 years old in 2008 when he started pre-K at an Iowa City elementary school. His school nurse realized this little boy had spina bifida, no insurance and no source of medical care so she brought him to the newly opened Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics.
Here’s the care we were able to provide: We provided all his preventive care and paid for dental services at the UI College of Dentistry. We coordinated free neurosurgical care, orthopedic care and wheel chairs from Shriners Hospital in Chicago. His parents had no transportation so we helped them apply for a grant for bus tickets through the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa. We arranged lodging at the Ronald McDonald House during his appointments in Chicago. We secured a scholarship from Child Serve for free physical therapy. We helped his family apply to pharmaceutical company financial assistance plans and pharmacy discount programs to cover the cost of his medications. Immigration stress is a serious threat to the mental health of patients and families. We partner with the UI College of Law to provide free legal services to the family. He will continue coming to us for his well care, preoperative checks, immunizations and occasional illnesses until he graduates from high school. Our final service will be his transition to adulthood. We are teaching him and his parents how to locate and obtain the resources he needs for a healthy future.
"The clinic has helped me with so many students that it is hard to pick just one! I have had several students with complex needs that the clinic has helped me navigate through our local health care system. I honestly would not be able to case manage some of these kids without their assistance. " Suzi Wilkes, RN
Iowa City High School nurse
Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics help uninsured children in all kinds of ways!
James is a 15 year old boy who came to Iowa City from another country looking for a better life. He needed vaccines to enter but had no insurance so the school nurse sent him to Healthy kids Clinic. When the volunteer RN at Healthy Kids met him to place his vaccines she noted that he was jaundiced. I interviewed the young man and learned he suffers from an inherited blood disorder, but had no medications and had never had much treatment. Healthy Kids coordinators arranged for him to have labs drawn the next morning and his results were very concerning. I was able to connect to my colleagues at UIHC and he was admitted for evaluation right away. With the assistance of Healthy Kids, He is now back in school, receiving high quality care and improving on medication.
"There was an uninsured 8th grader that tore her ACL during the school ski field trip. The HKC was able to aid her in securing all medical care for free, (MRI, ACL reconstruction, post surgical brace and follow up appointments). If I had to guess, the cost would have been around $20,000 at that time. It was amazing!" Sheila Stiles, Athletic Trainer, Iowa City West High School
Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics fill the gaps!
We serve families of graduate students at University of Iowa. Often families can't afford the family insurance offered by the graduate school. Grad students come to Iowa City on educational visas so they aren't eligible for Medicaid or other public benefits. Children often need vaccines in order to start class so school nurses refer to Healthy Kids School Based Clinic. We are able to give the shots and other primary care children need so they can enter school on time, remain healthy and allow parents to focus on their coursework.
" We arrived in Iowa city last fall from abroad. Our daughter started school, but upon review, the school nurse informed us that she needs a detailed physical check up and some vaccinations in order to continue at school. In those early days of moving, we were still arranging our funds transfers and did not have insurance, this is when the school nurse suggested we contact the Healthy kid's clinic. We not only got the needed vaccinations, physical check up, but the program (through its highly trained and passionate staff like Jamie) also gave us thorough guidance on different medical resources available. Now that we have our own insurance, I cannot thank the program enough for its help during the early days. Given that Iowa City houses University of Iowa and a lot of families move here from different places for their educational needs, I sincerely believe, the healthy kids program is a wonderful resource for such families in their initial phase of transition. Thank you very much Healthy Kids!"
Dad-UIHC International Student
Immunizations are essential!
Tonya is a 14 year old girl diagnosed with depression and anxiety. COVID-19 made everything worse and she had a lot of trouble returning to school in person after the online hiatus. She was struggling with absenteeism and spending a lot of time in the health office with headaches and stomach aches. Her Mom had not been able to find a psychiatrist or counselor. The school nurse referred Tanya to Healthy Kids Clinics for help. We were able to do a complete exam to be sure she was physically healthy. We gave her recommended vaccines so she remained eligible for school. We were able to to schedule an appointment with our child psychiatrist and develop a care plan with the school nurse to keep Tanya in the building and in class as much as possible. We were also able to connect her to counseling with a licensed therapist during her study hall.
"The clinic has also been key in supporting our students' mental health needs ensuring that all students are in the best possible state to participate in school. We are beyond thankful for the care and compassion that the clinic provides to our families!"
Michelle Cook, Principal, Southeast Junior High
Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics expedite mental healthcare
Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics offer the only free comprehensive dental care for children and youth in our area! We provided 189 dental visits during the 2021-22 school year. We collaborate with the Iowa City Free Dental Clinic, Johnson County Public Health and The University of Iowa College of Dentistry to provide this service.
"I am a school nurse this year and it is such a blessing to have for the kids. I have sent many students from Twain to the clinic. I feel like it's a safe place for families to take their kids who may not have insurance or accessibility to healthcare" Sam Greiner, RN, Lemme & Twain Elementary School Nurse
Dental Caries: The most common chronic disease in US children
"Healthy Kids Clinic has been extremely cooperative and accommodating in getting our newcomer immigrants vaccinated and evaluated for sports. I am deeply grateful for the sincere and compassionate services that Healthy Kids Clinic has provided to such a vulnerable population. I feel a lot of psychological relief knowing that my students are able to access health care in a safe, private, and culturally competent environment. Two weeks ago, I had a newcomer ELL student arrive from a developing, third-world country that is classified as a "failed nation" by the UN. He wanted to play soccer so badly even though there are only 3 matches remaining in the season. SEJH HKC accommodated him by modifying their schedule so that he could get a physical and subsequently participate! Thank you so much, Healthy Kids Clinic!" Daniel Lekin, ELL Teacher, Liberty High School
Zeke was 13 years old when he came to Iowa City from his home country. He really wanted to play soccer to find a new group of friends, but he needed a sports physical. He had insurance through his Dad's job, but the policy had a $5000 deductible and his parents just didn't have that kind of money. The family were Swahili speakers which posed an additional barrier. His self-esteem was suffering. His coach called our clinic and we were able to do his exam for sports and give vaccines. He didn't even miss class!