Choptank Health Joins National Campaign to Highlight School-Based Health Care
Choptank Health is joining communities nationwide in recognizing School-Based Health Care Awareness Month this February, highlighting the critical role school-based health centers play in supporting student health, academic success, and community well-being across Maryland’s Mid-Shore.
Through partnerships with local school systems, Choptank Health operates 18 school-based health centers and additionally utilizes mobile health units to support dental and other school-based health initiatives.
“School-based health care removes barriers that keep students from getting the care they need to stay healthy and ready to learn,” said Choptank Health Director of Community-Based Programs Chrissy Bartz, PA-C. “By delivering care where students spend most of their day, we help families avoid missed school days, delayed treatment, and unnecessary emergency visits.”
Choptank Health’s participation aligns with a national awareness campaign led by the School-Based Health Alliance, which represents nearly 4,000 school-based health centers nationwide.
Nationally, community health centers serve 52 million patients annually through more than 17,000 locations, including two out of every three school-based health centers.
At a time of rising student mental health needs and continued pressure on local health systems, school-based care remains a proven, cost-effective solution for communities.
“School-based health centers are a smart investment in both education and public health,” said Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “They strengthen our schools, support all families, and improve long-term outcomes for students and communities. Continued support for these programs is essential to the health of our region.”
Choptank Health's school-based care journey began in 1999 with four school-based health centers in Caroline County Public Schools. Over the years, Choptank Health's commitment to the community has expanded its medical, dental, and behavioral health services for Mid-Shore students.
Today, Choptank Health’s school-based health centers and mobile health units reach more than 8,000 students each year, providing dental services in Dorchester County and medical, dental, nutrition, and behavioral health services in Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties.
The school-based health centers are a partnership between Choptank Health, Maryland Department of Health, county health departments, and each county’s public school system. Care is coordinated with the student's primary care provider and/or primary dentist.
Services include in-person, virtual, curbside, well, and urgent care during the school year and over the summer. Students can receive diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, behavioral health services, nutrition services, health education, and more.
Choptank Health’s school-based dental programs include dental screenings and sealants, cleanings, oral health education, fluoride treatments, and dental emergency referrals.
Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental services to more than 34,000 patients annually across Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.
With a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all, Choptank Health’s services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, lab services, care navigation, and more.
Student enrollment forms and more about Choptank Community Health System’s school-based health programs are at www.choptankhealth.org/schoolbased.
