Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) and West Plains Schools have partnered together to house a healthcare clinic housed on the school’s campus. Its goal is to help students, parents and staff with healthcare needs. OMC and the school will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 4:30 p.m. at the clinic, 1013 College St., West Plains.
The OMC/Zizzer Clinic is a unique healthcare model in which comprehensive physical and preventative healthcare services are provided to school-aged youths and school staff in the school setting. It is a result of a collaboration between the West Plains School District and OMC, to support the healthcare needs of the student population.
This collaborative approach is to take care of the student’s health and well-being while supporting attendance and achieving academic success. It improves access to care for students so that students and parents do not need to miss school or work to get care. Students and staff can come to the clinic for routine healthcare, minor injuries, behavioral healthcare or to be treated when they are ill. The clinic will take appointments as well as walk-ins.
“We are fortunate to be able to partner with OMC to bring healthcare access to many of our students who may otherwise not be able to receive the medical care they need,” said Dr. Lori Wilson, Superintendant, West Plains School District.
OMC/Zizzer Clinic will be staffed by Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Hilda Newell and Dr. Mirza Mahmood, Board Certified Family Practice Physician and Hospitalist. OMC medical providers will work closely with community providers, the school nurse, and school staff to ensure that students get the care they need at school, or through community support services. The OMC healthcare professionals will not replace the student’s primary care provider if they have one, and will contact the provider should they need treatment.
OMC/Zizzer Clinic will be open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., for appointments and walk-ins, even when school is not in session. Please call 417-505-7123 with any questions, or to make an appointment.
Ozarks Medical Center is a system of care encompassing eight primary care and 17 specialty clinics, along with complete rehabilitation, behavioral healthcare, and home care services. While the 114-bed acute care hospital cares for more than 5,400 admissions, the entire medical system has more than 364,000 patient visits annually in South Central Missouri and Northern Arkansas. For more information about OMC, visit www.OzarksMedicalCenter.com.
