Erie in the News
For more information about Erie Family Health Center, please contact Valerie Comprelli at 312.432.7463 or vcomprelli@eriefamilyhealth.org
Appeared in EXTRA on July 23, 2009
Grand Opening of Erie Clemente Wildcats Student Health Center
The opening of the Erie Clemente Wildcats Student Health Center marks another milestone for the Erie Family Health Center. The organization now has 10 sites around the West and Northwest side of Chicago, including three elementary school-based locations, two dental centers and the newest addition, a high school-based center.
Erie Clemente staff at work (left to right): Jazlin Flecha, Rosa Herrera, and Tiosha Goss
Erie Clemente is located on the second floor of Roberto Clemente Community Academy, 1147 N. Western Ave., and features three exam rooms, a counseling room, lab, office space and a number of other state-of-the-art amenities, including an electronic records keeping system. The health center is opened from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The center is staffed with licensed physicians, nurse practitioners and case managers. Erie Clemente bilingual staff provides the following services to its patients: acute care, school and sports physicals, immunizations, lab services, rapid HIV testing, reproductive health services and counseling services. The counseling services are available through a partnership with Youth Guidance, an organization that creates and implements school-based programs.
“Our goal is to remove any barriers to health care,” said Tiosha Goss, school and oral health coordinator. “The center will provide healthcare to students without interfering with their education by allowing them to see Erie providers onsite.
An added benefit to students utilizing Erie as their healthcare provider is the long-term connection with the organization. Once an individual becomes an Erie patient, they can visit any of the other centers. In the case of Clemente students, upon leaving the high school, they are automatically a part of Erie’s health network and can utilize the adult patient care centers. This provides individuals with a comprehensive set of health care services that spans a lifetime.
“We are honored to help improve access to quality, affordable health care for Clemente students,” said Amy Valukas, director of School Health and Health Promotion. “Our mission is to provide accessible, affordable and high quality health care for those in need. Many of the most vulnerable are kids,” Valukas added.
The $130,000 grant from Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation helped to support the renovation of Erie Clemente, which became fully operational on July 1.