Milan schools to benefit from telehealth
Melinda Starkey Photo
Pictured above, representatives from Milan schools, Margaret Mary Health, Milan Primary Care, and Indiana Rural School Clinic Network (IRSCN), along with some elementary students, participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially announce the opening of the telehealth clinic at Milan Elementary School.
A formal ribbon cutting ceremony of the telehealth clinic at Milan Elementary School (MES) was held on August 6. The clinic is supported by Margaret Mary Health (MMH), with the necessary equipment being funded by the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA), CareSource, the Margaret Mary Foundation, and the Ripley County Community Foundation.
Through the technology provided by the rural telehealth clinic, students and staff will have the opportunity to be seen by a remote healthcare provider. MES will use Milan Primary Care as their main contact, but will also have Osgood Primary as a second source if needed, according to Tammy Jutzi, health services coordinator and school nurse for MES. This will be done using digital diagnostic equipment and sensors that will transmit through secure broadband connectivity from the school to the healthcare provider. Jutzi will typically connect to Nurse Practitioner Katie Davis at Milan Primary Care, allowing MES students to be seen by a medi cal professional without leaving the school facility. “This elevates the level of care that we can provide our students in a timely way and fashion,” stated Jutzi. Along with the telehealth session, the medical professional or provider conducting the diagnostic session can also directly send follow-up information to the children’s physician and prescriptions directly to local pharmacies for pickup.
Although the clinic will be housed at MES, the Milan High School, Intermediate School, and Middle School will also be able to make use of the equipment if needed. According to Amber Knueven, nurse at these facilities, they hope to be able to get their own clinic soon.
Elevated care, less disruption and better access to medical professionals represent critical benefits of the telehealth center. “With our Chromebooks and other initiatives, Milan Community Schools have positively and consistently leveraged technology to benefit our students and communities,” said Superintendent Jane Rogers. “Becoming part of the Indiana Rural School Clinic Network represents a new means to provide convenient, high quality health care services for our students.”
Milan is the 20th school in the state to offer this program and the third in Ripley County. South Ripley and Batesville are the other two Ripley County schools offering the program. In order to participate in the program, children must have prior parent/guardian consent. Any fees are appropriately billed to insurance. No student will be denied coverage or treatment because of lack of ability to pay.
