University Health has opened a new school-based health center at Judson Independent School District’s Wagner High School, located at 3000 N Foster Rd. The facility is open to students, their families, school staff, and the broader community.
Ed Banos, President and CEO of University Health, addressed attendees at the opening. “We’re providing health care close to where you live,” Banos said.
The new Judson Health Center is the seventh school-based health center operated by University Health. It is colocated with Judson ISD’s wraparound services facility. According to University Health officials, this collaboration aims to improve overall community health. The location is also near the upcoming University Health Wheatley clinic, which will offer primary and multi-specialty care along with pharmacy services and preventive health programs when it opens later this year. Both centers are expected to expand access to healthcare on San Antonio’s East Side.
“We’re proud to be able to provide health services on the East Side,” Banos said.
Dr. Leo Lopez, Medical Director for School-Based Health Centers at University Health, highlighted that these centers serve not only students but also staff, families, and local residents. “It’s a unique aspect of these health centers that they serve students, staff, families and the surrounding communities,” Dr. Lopez said. “So we not only treat coughs, colds, well child checkups and sports physicals, but when a parent comes in with unchecked diabetes we can address that, when a woman needs a breast exam, we can connect her to that screening within our system. We have addressed the loneliness epidemic, instituting social isolation screening and connecting those patients to resources they need. We believe that healthier parents, schools and homes equal healthy communities and better places to learn and grow.”
Research shows that school-based clinics like these can help improve student health outcomes as well as academic performance by reducing absenteeism and supporting graduation rates across the country. The team led by Dr. Lopez and Valerie Maldonado has received national recognition for its work in this area and has shared its strategies at forums in Washington D.C.
Most insurance plans are accepted at University Health’s centers. Services include physical exams; immunizations; sports physicals; chronic illness management; prescription medications; nutrition counseling; telehealth; and mobile visits.
In addition to medical care provided by University Health at Wagner High School’s new center, mental wellness support is available through Judson Wraparound Service Center in partnership with the San Antonio Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative. This program addresses mental health needs such as grief or substance abuse for students as well as their families and school personnel.
Together these efforts represent an expansion of accessible healthcare options for San Antonio’s East Side community.
