In an effort to help ensure students are in compliance with health assessments and immunizations and to increase access to health and mental health services for students within our school district during virtual and hybrid learning, the School Health Alliance for Forsyth County has expanded clinic hours of operation on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at our Mineral Springs Clinic location. In addition, our Mobile Medical Unit will be serving some additional schools during the month of October and the first week of November. Here are the upcoming locations, dates, and times for our Mobile Medical Unit:
October 7 – Forest Park 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
October 14 – Sedge Garden Elementary 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
October 20 – Old Town Elementary School 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
October 21 – Speas Elementary 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
October 28 – Konnoak Elementary 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
November 4 – Vienna Elementary 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Please note that immunizations are only offered at our Mineral Springs clinic location (and aren’t available on the mobile clinic). Our staff confirm whether or not immunizations are needed when a parent/guardian calls to schedule an appointment, and then will schedule students for our Mineral Springs clinic location if a student needs immunizations. To schedule an appointment for services at any of our sites, parents/guardians can call 336-703-4273.
NEW BRAND CELEBRATES A RICH HISTORY AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE Gastonia, NC April 2 2020– Gaston Family Health Services, Inc., a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), announced the comprehensive rebranding and new name for the organization. The rebranding program unifies the the company’s medical, dental and behavioral health practices, special programs and supportive services across eight NC counties, under one name: Kintegra Health. With the new moniker comes a new logo, style, and website (www.Kintegra.org). “It’s quite a challenge for one word to encapsulate everything that we stand for,” said Kintegra CEO Robert Spencer. “The name Kintegra Health pulls it all together, combining the word ‘kin’ for family, and the root of the word ‘integration’ and ‘integrity’. It’s a strong name that represents our core values and our vision to deliver comprehensive, integrated whole-person care to our patients and families.” Gaston Family Health Services has operated over 26 years improving the health outcomes of underserved communities through its commitment to providing health care, health education and preventive care services without regard for the ability to pay. “By bringing our practices and programs under one brand umbrella, we have the opportunity to deliver a unified message that conveys our commitment to our mission”, commented Melvin Parent, Kintegra Health’s Board Chairman. “We are proud of our journey, and are prepared for the challenges and opportunities the future holds.” About Kintegra Kintegra Health is a community sponsored, family-centered provider of health care, health education and preventive care services without regard for the ability to pay. The organization employs over 600 people, providing medical, dental, behavioral health and supportive programs and services in Alexander, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln Counties. www.kintegra.org If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Lu Gibbs at 704 874 1910 or email at firstname.lastname@example.org.
In an effort to better deliver health care to individuals without health insurance, Wake Forest Baptist Health and the School Health Alliance of Forsyth County (SHA) have partnered to create the Mobile Health Program, a new mobile clinic that will soon bring health care directly to underserved neighborhoods and schools in Forsyth County.
The mobile clinic is wheelchair accessible and features two private exam rooms and a counseling room. Uninsured adults and children can receive a wide range of services, including preventative care, treatment for minor illnesses, and management of chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma.
The health care team is comprised of a nurse practitioner, a behavioral health specialist and a certified nursing assistant. Health education, nutrition coaching, lab services and referrals to specialists will be provided, if needed.
While the unit will visit various locations in Forsyth County – based on community input and data such as rates of chronic disease, poverty and food insecurity – the mobile clinic will serve people regardless of where they live. It also will make weekly scheduled visits to Cook Elementary School and Parkland and Carver High Schools in Winston-Salem, provided by the SHA.
“With the mobile clinic, we are hopeful that we can build trust and reduce barriers to care as we work with other community partners, like the SHA, in achieving healthy populations, one individual at a time,” said Richard Lord, MD, chair of family and community medicine and vice president of clinical operations, population health at Wake Forest Baptist.
The customized mobile clinic was designed and created by Spevco, a national manufacturer of specialty vehicles located in Pfafftown.
Effective February 1, 2017 Gaston Family Health Services Inc.(GFHS), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and the School Health Alliance for Forsyth County (SHA) join forces to integrate SHA’s clinical service model and GFHS’ FQHC operations.
SHA, established in 1999 as a non-profit organization, operates school-based health centers and programs providing medical and behavioral health services to school-aged children and adolescents in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (WS/FCS) School District. GFHS, an FQHC established in 1992, provides medical, behavioral health and dental services in five NC counties, and has significant experience integrating other community-based clinics into their FQHC model.
SHA’s strategic plan has been focused on collaboration with an existing FQHC in order to enhance clinical infrastructure, and in turn, increase access to care for students in Forsyth County. SHA has elected GFHS as the FQHC “of choice” for this collaboration.
The integration will continue to ensure the successful delivery of quality school-based care to the students of the WS/FCS School District, and supports both organizations’ intent to expand the school-based practice model in Forsyth county and beyond.
GFHS’ administrative and operational support will include patient care, enabling and operational supportive services, electronic health record and patient billing integration.
Through its collaboration with GFHS, SHA will continue to operate with existing staff, providers and leadership at existing sites in the WS/FCS District under the SHA name:
- Mineral Spring Student Health Center, 4555 Ogburn Ave., Winston-Salem NC
- Winston-Salem Prep Academy Wellness Center, and Mental Health Consultation Clinic at WSPA, 1215 N. Cameron Ave., Winston-Salem NC
- Ashley Wellness Center, 647 NE Ashley School Circle, Winston-Salem, NC
- School Based Social Work Program, 601 N. Cherry St., Winston-Salem NC
- Mobile Medical Unit, serving designated schools in the WS/FC School District.
“The integration of SHA clinical operations with GFHS will ultimately allow SHA to better serve and meet the comprehensive health and mental health needs of our WS/FCS students through the efficiencies gained by operating under the FQHC model. Both SHA and GFHS have a history of providing best- and evidence-based practices within their respective clinical programs and operations. We are very excited to partner with GFHS and look forward to new opportunities to enhance the physical and mental health, and in turn, academic success, of the children and adolescents in our community through school-based services,” said SHA’s Executive Director, Stephanie Daniel, Ph.D.
Robert Spencer, CEO of GFHS, added: “We are fortunate to have this relationship with SHA and look forward to building on the strengths of our organizations to continue to increase access to care in the WS/FCS District.
About SHA and GFHS:
The School Health Alliance for Forsyth County, established in 1999, is a partner and supporting organization to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools. SHA operates school-based health centers and programs to provide medical and mental health services to school aged children and adolescents. For more information, visit www.shaforsyth.com.
GFHS is a community-sponsored, family-centered provider of healthcare, health education and preventive care services without regard for the ability to pay. Medical and dental services are offered in Catawba, Davidson, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties. Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and self-pay patients are accepted. For more information about Gaston Family Health Services, visit www.gfhs.info