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SALT LAKE CITY — For many Utahns, even the most minor need for health care comes loaded with hurdles to overcome. When one has no insurance, no doctor, no car and little money, a simple doctor visit becomes a complicated affair.
A partnership between Intermountain Healthcare and the Salt Lake City School District is helping to knock down some of those barriers by providing affordable and accessible health care options for low-income families.
Funded by a grant from the Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, Intermountain Healthcare has set up medical clinics in three Salt Lake City schools. The schools provide the space and Intermountain provides the services, subsidized as needed based on a patient's financial health.
“The clinic is based in the school, but it has a lot greater reach than just the school kids,” said Terry Foust, director of the school-based clinic at Lincoln Elementary School, 1090 Roberta St.
“We’re somewhat unique not only in Utah, but across the nation — where we see not only the schoolchildren, but … general medical care is available to parents, grandparents and those that live in the neighborhood,” Foust said.
“Anything that would be seen in a regular doctor’s office, we see here,” said Jan Beckstrom, a registered nurse who works in the clinic.
The familiarity and flexibility remove many of the roadblocks to health care that lower-income Utahns face every day, Foust said.
Miele Vea is one of the patients who benefits from the services provided at the Lincoln Elementary clinic. She said she loves that it’s so close to home.
“I can walk over here when my appointment (is) and see Dr. Cutler. I love it,” she said.
It's an approach bringing better health to some Salt Lake City neighborhoods so often in need of a little extra care.
“We receive inquiries around the country about this particular model and how to expand services beyond what’s traditionally thought of as a school-based health center,” Foust said.
For more information on Intermountain Healthcare’s school-based clinics visit www.intermountainhealthcare.org/communitysupport/community/clinics.
Contributing: Jordan Ormond
