MARION -- Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) paid a visit to Marion High School Monday morning to take a tour of the Marion Wellness Center, one of only five health centers of its kind in Southern Illinois.
"What they do is amazing," he said. "It's quite a program."
Opened in 2014, the center is located in the health education complex at MHS and is operated by Shawnee Health Service.
According to Emma Basler, the Marketing Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator at SHS, school health centers provide convenient medical, dental and social services to students, faculty and staff.
While SHS received a grant for its Carbondale facility, the Marion facility is operated by the company.
"Historically, this is a not a profitable service," said Basler. "We're just trying to break even."
That goal seems attainable, especially in light of last year's increase in usage.
"In the past year, we increased unduplicated users by 300 patients," said Basler.
The center offers a variety of services, including school and sports exams, preventive and sick care services, immunizations, mental and behavioral health services, nutrition information, and referrals for dental services.
Basler said MWC accepts private insurance, Medicaid, AllKids, Medicare, and sliding fee plans for it services.
"We see all students," Basler said, "regardless of the ability to pay."
Students, faculty, and staff of Marion Unit 2, as well as their families, are eligible for services at the facility.
One of the big plusses of the facility is the impact on student attendance. Instead of having to leave school for medical appointments, students can be seen right on the campus.
"That helps improve the school's ADA (average daily attendance)," said Severin.
The ADA is used to calculate state funding for school districts.
Basler said they invited Severin to tour the facility because of his involvement with kids.
"He does a lot with kids," she said, noting that Severin took a group to the Youth Advocacy Day in Springfield last year.
"It really meant a lot that he came," she said. "We appreciate the support from our local legislators. It's important for them to understand that the health issues our students face aren't necessarily the same issues that students in Cook County are facing."
Severin said he was impressed with the facility.
"It's a state-of-the-art facility," he said, "and it's available right at the school."
The Marion Wellness Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days when school is in session.
