Staff from Marillac Health are putting the finishing touches on a school-based health clinic that will open in the new Grand Junction High School building. The clinic will provide services such as dental screenings, cold and flu visits, immunizations, counseling, and many more.

GJHS students and staff of the new building can now look forward to a school-based health clinic to be at their disposal going into the 2024-25 school year.

The Tiger Wellness Center is a much anticipated addition to the new $144.5 million Grand Junction High School building. After years of debates and an original dismissal of the clinic, students will now be able to fulfill many of their health needs right inside the school.

“[The] goal is to keep students in school and make everything super accessible. Access is our biggest focal point,” said Tiger Wellness Center Family Nurse Practitioner Janie Phillips. 

Before receiving care from the clinic, each student’s parent or guardian must complete paperwork consenting to the services. While not all services are completely free, the maximum cost per visit is $20.

Like Central High School’s Warrior Wellness Center, the wellness center at GJHS is in partnership with Marillac Health and will offer a variety of services to students and staff such as primary care, behavioral, and dental health care. Additionally, the clinic will provide sports physicals to all School District 51 students.

“It sounds like it’s going to be nice, it should be beneficial. It sounds like a lot of work has been put into it. I totally plan on using it, it’ll make a difference for a ton of kids,” said GJHS senior Ellie DeHerrera. 

The clinic will be taking patients on school days from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., but will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. to take appointments. It is even planned to be open during students’ breaks from school, such as parent-teacher conference days.

“I’m looking forward to the kids, the staff, and the parents to really feel like this is a good experience… We invite them to all be engaged in it. We just want to offer good quality, accessible care. We want it to be easy for everyone to come in and get their care,” said Marillac Health Chief Development Officer Kristy Schmidt.

The Wellness Center will provide opportunities for many students who may not have previously been able to receive primary care and will help to keep students in school instead of needing to miss classes for appointments. There is an emphasis on accessibility, convenience, and community.

Students, families, and staff can get a look and feel for the new clinic during GJHS’ Open House for the new building from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 3 and on Back to School night from 4:30-7 p.m. Aug. 8