FSPS and Mercy Executives Visit Mansfield School-Based Clinic

On Tuesday, March 12, Administrators from the Fort Smith Public School District as well as Mercy Hospital executives visited Mansfield’s school-based clinic.

The district was the first in the state to partner with Mercy. Superintendent Robert Ross stated that Mansfield’s clinic is larger because they pioneered the program and received a federal grant for half a million dollars.

“We have suites at our clinic,” added Ross. “We also offer OT (occupational therapy), PT (physical therapy), and an exercise room. The faculty and staff at that campus get to use that equipment as well as the clinicians there.”

Two other schools subsequently partnered with Mercy Hospital, including Magazine and Cedarville.

Mercy Hospital representatives Dr. Cole Goodman M.D., Steve Gebhart, Mercy Vice President of Operations, Jeannie Keomoungkhoune, Practice Manager Mercy of Mansfield and administrators from Fort Smith Public Schools, Terry Morawski – Fort Smith Public Schools Deputy Superintendent, Zena Marshall, Fort Smith Public Schools Executive Director of Community Partnerships, Cynthia Mitchell, Fort Smith Public Schools Registered Nurse Operations all toured the Mansfield school-based clinic.

“They came to look at our facility, ask questions and see how it operates,” added Ross.

The school has a protocol in place that allows parents to give signed written permission for their children to be able to see any of the providers. “This way the parents don’t have to leave work,” commented Ross.

The clinic, which opened during the 2013-2014 school year, is also open to the public, and includes a medical, dental, eye and mental health clinic.