Eight-year dream realized at Hiram Johnson High School; school clinic first in Sac County
An eight-year dream will be fulfilled on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. when Hiram
Johnson High School and Sacramento City Unified School District officials open the campus’
health center. The clinic will become the first school-based health center in Sacramento County.Partnering with the non-profit group Health for All and volunteer dentists, the clinic will
bring health services to students and eventually community members in a chronically
underserved area. Hiram Johnson’s clinic will serve students and then expand services over the
coming year to supply healthcare, education and referrals. Services will be available free of
charge to students enrolled at the high school.
Volunteer medical providers will perform physical examinations, vision, dental and blood
pressure screenings, routine lab tests, immunizations, tuberculosis testing, health education,
counseling and wellness promotion, referrals and health insurance enrollment.
Nationwide, about 1,700 school health centers operate in 45 states and the District of
Columbia. California has more than 150 school health centers in urban, suburban and rural
settings, but this is the first to open in Sacramento County.
The California School Health Centers Association cites as benefits health center roles in
supporting student learning by improving mental health and diet, and treating injuries and
physical illness, and reducing student absences. Centers also support families by providing free
or low cost health services for children and strengthening the connection between school and
family.