CONTACT:  Wendy V. Long, Public Relations

                        (413) 685-1003

GATEWAY SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER OPENS ITS DOORS

Huntington- The Gateway School-Based Health Center has opened its doors for the 2006-2007 school year. It continues to operate in its first floor offices in the middle/high school complex, near the main entrance and next to the school nurse’s office.

It is open 30 hours per week.  The hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Currently the staff consists of a Nurse Practitioner, Shirley Hodges, Social Worker Martha Klaczak and an Administrative Assistant June Tanski.  Martha Klaczak has also become the new Director for the center, replacing founding director Ellen Baer.  In addition, Dr. Naomi Rosenberg serves as the Pediatrician overseeing the clinic.

The SBHC provides direct medical care to students:  sports physicals, immunizations, physical exams, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, limited lab work and prescriptions.  We also provide Behavioral Health for students and families.  In addition, the staff participates in classroom curriculums and other school events.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health continues to fund the center and to license it as a clinic.  The center does bill patients’ insurance companies and parents are sent bills for co-payments.  However, no student is ever denied treatment.  In fact, if a family does not have health insurance, the center will assist the family in securing it.

Fore more information, registrations forms, or to ask questions, please call (413) 667-0142 during the SBHC’s hours of operation.