The Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education discussed its partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital School-Based Health Center during the September 2025 board meeting. The center, located in the upper parking lot of Mount Vernon High School, is intended to make health and wellness services more accessible for students by providing care directly on campus. This aims to reduce obstacles such as transportation difficulties, missing school time, and challenges faced by working families.
Officials from Nationwide Children’s Hospital emphasized two main points regarding the program. They stated, "No student will ever be examined without prior parent/guardian permission. Parental consent is central to the program." Additionally, they clarified that the health center "is designed to support, not replace, a family’s existing primary care physician. It also ensures that students who may not currently have a primary care physician can still receive needed health and wellness services. The school-based health center provides supplemental services, such as basic health care, preventive care, and wellness support, when it is most convenient for the student."
Mary Kay Irwin, Senior Director of School Health at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, described how this partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to whole-student well-being. She said the goal is "to ensure that every student has access to healthcare resources, enabling them to be healthier, more focused, and more successful learners."
The effort between Mount Vernon City Schools and Nationwide Children’s Hospital is presented as collaborative. The district provides facilities and support while the hospital supplies medical expertise and care. Both organizations aim to make a lasting investment in student health that respects family roles while expanding access to essential services.
