CHoR and Richmond Public Schools team up to help kids and families

A new partnership between CHoR and Richmond Public Schools is giving students access to expert medical care directly from the school nurse’s office.

If a child was feeling sick during class and their teacher was concerned they could be contagious, there was a good chance a parent or guardian would have to come pick up their child and take them to the doctor – until now. Using telehealth, the school nurse can reach out to a CHoR doctor who can make a diagnosis and even call in prescriptions without the child ever leaving school. Parents can join the virtual visit remotely from work or home. The program has already launched at Cardinal, Carver and Fairfield Court Elementary Schools.

Improving the health of kids and the community

"It's covered by insurance and doesn't replace anything that the child has with their primary care doctor," RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras explained. "It's just an additional component that helps us all do what we're trying to do, to support kids just a little bit faster.”

Richmond Mayor Dr. Danny Avula is excited about what this means for children in the city.

He added, “Today feels like a big step forward in work that I have been very connected to, both personally and professionally, certainly as a pediatrician, as the city's former public health director, often looking for opportunities to advance children's health and well-being.”

“You know it took great vision for us to come together and highlight what you both have just described, how we can help take care of kids together,” said CHoR President Elias Neujahr. “The partnership really has been the blessing of many hands.”

One of those hands is Dr. Romesh Wijesooriya, division chief of general pediatrics at CHoR and the primary physician for the program.

He explained, “This kind of partnership between our school system and our medical system—two of the biggest systems that care for our children—has the power to transform not only individual lives but the life of the entire community.”

The school nurse can also use the program to consult with a doctor about non-contagious health concerns, such as mild cuts, nose bleeds and joint pain, to determine if further medical attention is required.

There are plans to expand the program and work is already being done to identify which school will be next to receive the service.

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