[StBernard] Chalmette High school makes the grade for comeback after Katrina

[Westley Annis]

Chalmette High school makes the grade for comeback after Katrina
Published: Thursday, September 23, 2010, 7:00 AM 
 The Times-Picayune 
 
By Jamie Landry-Zimmer

Contributing writer

With the laws allowing children only seven days of absences in the 2010-11
school year, Chalmette High School counts itself lucky to house a
one-of-a-kind health center located on the school grounds.

The Chalmette High School Health Center is one of the many positives to come
to the parish post-Katrina. The Methodist Health System Foundation, Inc., a
non-profit organization, had a similar health center at Marion Abramson High
School in eastern New Orleans prior to the storm. When that center closed,
Methodist searched for a new home base.

"We knew more than ever that it was critical to bring this type of care into
St. Bernard-if the parents of school aged children even considered bringing
their families back home, they would need to have accessible medical care, "
said Heather Surcuf, a family nurse practitioner and manager of Chalmette
High's health center.

Methodist joined forces with the St. Bernard Parish Public School System,
Kelloggs Corporation and the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi, and the
venter opened its doors to Chalmette High students in 2006.

"It's been such a success because everyone is working in tandem, " Surcuf
said. 

Long-time Chalmette High Principal Wayne Warner agrees.

"It's been a great addition to our program at Chalmette High, and a
wonderful aid to our parents and students, " Warner said. "The health center
staff truly care about our students, " Warner said.

The health center has grown in many ways in the four years of being
stationed at Chalmette High. The first two years were in a trailer next to
the football field, and the following two were in its permanent home within
the walls of Chalmette High's main campus.

The acute center has its own medical doctor, Dr. Joseph Labat who is
available to see students once a week, and three nurse practitioners, and a
registered nurse and a medical assistant. There's also a full-time social
worker and a psychologist on site once a week available to Chalmette High
Students at no cost while school is in session.

"Parents must sign a general consent for their child to be seen at the
center; about 94 percent of students have consented to treatment, " Surcuf
said. "We take it a step further. We make sure that we contact parents
whenever we see a student in the center. We just feel that parents would
want to know." 

Health center staff members are available to address immediate medical needs
of the students, and is authorized to dispense some over the counter
medication such as antihistamines, acetaminophen, decongestants and
anti-acids. Samples of antibiotics can be administered, and prescriptions
can be written on the spot. There also an on-site laboratory that allows
staff members to do blood draws, urinalysis, strep cultures and influenza
testing. 

Students are instructed to follow-up with their regular health care provider
if they present a more serious illness or if they require more extensive
care like students who have elevated blood glucose levels, sickle cell, and
other problems like broken bones, or severe allergic reactions are referred
to the emergency room. In cases of life or death, the center will call 911.

The center also works in conjunction with the St. Bernard Health Unit if
there are cases that require more immediate in-depth testing and blood work.
Staff from the unit will come out to Chalmette High to provide medical care
if necessary. The Chalmette High center also partners with New Orleans
Vision and Hearing to provide annual testing to freshmen, sophomores and
juniors. 

Through the program Reach Out America, the center enlists local dentists
provide monthly cleanings, x-rays and fillings for students who don't have
these basic services available to them. The center bills Medicaid and
private insurance, and the student has no out of pocket costs or co-pays.
Methodist covers any unpaid cost.

The center works closely with teachers and staff to provide in school
education regarding ramped problems with staph infections and athletes foot.
Surcuf believes this is a valuable resource for the community.

"This is really a win-win situation for the school and the students, " she
said. "The student gets the care they need and they get to stay in school,
and the parent gets to stay at work." 

Labat, who has also served as medical director at Xavier University, and for
the Orleans Parish School System, agrees.

"The students are using the center on a mature level, " he said. "It's very
satisfying as a physician to see them have the confidence to seek medical
attention and to take responsibility in their medical care." 

Parents or guardians who want more information about Chalmette High School's
health center can call the school at 504.301.2600.

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