Atrium Health Navicent and Peach County Schools celebrated a new partnership to provide Peach County students, teachers and school staff with school-based virtual health care services during a Tuesday ceremony.

The Atrium Health Navicent School-Based Virtual Care program offers Peach County Schools’ 3,600 students and 500 teachers and school staff members access to virtual visits with a health provider without leaving their school campus, acting as an extension of services provided by established school nurses and offering near-immediate access to more advanced care.

“Atrium Health Navicent is committed to expanding access to high quality health care, reducing disparities and bridging barriers, to improve the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” said Atrium Health Navicent President and CEO Delvecchio Finley. “Helping students remain healthy and in the classroom, and providing quick treatment for their teachers and other school staff, has the potential to make a far-reaching impact on the future health of our community as these children grow into healthier adults. Thanks to Peach County Schools for partnering with us to expand access to care for Peach County families.”

More than 30 children and adults have used the service since school began on Aug. 1.

Atrium Health Navicent School-Based Virtual Care allows students who previously would have been sent home without treatment an opportunity to stay at school while seeing a health provider for common symptoms such as sore throats, coughs and colds, ear pain, rashes, allergies, stomachaches, headaches and more.

Parents may join a virtual visit – either from school or another location – while students remain in a spot isolated from other students. If a prescription medicine is needed, the provider can send a prescription to a pharmacy. Teachers and school staff members have access to the same services.

If the student, teacher or school staff member is not contagious, they are allowed to return to class after the virtual visit – and parents aren’t required to leave work or other obligations.

The program is patterned after

Parents and guardians of many Peach County Schools students, teachers and school staff members have already signed consent forms to participate in the program.

“Keeping children, faculty, and staff at school and engaged in learning assists the district in continuing to graduate college and career ready students,” said Peach County School Superintendent Dr. Lionel Brown. “Thanks to Atrium Health Navicent for partnering with us, and for their work to improve health for all of Peach County.”