Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

Tigard High School

In 2008, we opened our first school-based health center at Tigard High School adopting the state’s motto of “keeping kids healthy, in school and ready to learn.” The health center is open to school district students of all ages and serves the community of Tigard during the school year.

900 S.W. Durham Road
Building 7110
Tigard, Oregon 97224
Map

Primary Care

Phone: (503) 431-5775

Hours (during school year):
Monday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 

News from Tigard School-Based Health Center

The Tigard School-Based Health Center (SBHC) at Tigard High School is in its second full year of operation and is on track to becoming self supporting.   “Our goal is to have enough insured patients using the services at our school-based health centers so that their payments subsidize services for the uninsured,” said Gil Muñoz, CEO of Virginia Garcia.  The SBHC currently receives funding from Providence Health Partners, United Way, Washington County Department of Health and Human services and other supporters.

In January 2010, data showed that 533 individual students received 907 visits during the first half of this school year, more than doubling visits from the same time in 2009.  Of these visits, 33% are from the elementary and middle schools and 67% are from the two district high schools.

(Pictured at left, Karen Hall, RDH, LAP and student, Valeria Tapia.)

Currently, about 32% of patients served by the SBHC are insured through the Oregon Health Plan, 18% have private insurance and about 50% are uninsured.

Washington County Commission on Children and Families was recently awarded a Healthy Kids Outreach Grant for staffing to seek out and enroll eligible Tigard-Tualatin School District children in the Oregon Health Plan and other Healthy Kids programs. “I’m optimistic this will help us get closer to reaching the balance of insured and uninsured patients,” said Margaret Stochosky, a family nurse practitioner providing care at the SBHC. 

The SBHC reaches children who might not receive medical assistance in a timely fashion. Because of the location in the school districts, families consider the clinic to be accessible. Last fall, a 10 year old student came into the clinic complaining of aching joints and no appetite. His family had no health insurance and his father was out of work. 

SBHC staff assisted his mother in signing up for the Oregon Health Plan and the student was referred to a pediatrician with Virginia Garcia.  It was discovered that the student has Crohn’s disease, a potentially life threatening illness for which he now receives treatment. “Having no money should not be a barrier to care,” said Stochosky.  “I talk to parents every day who consider this clinic a great resource in the community.”

This spring, the SBHC is focused on vaccinations for students who may be excluded from school because their immunizations are not up to date. Sports physicals are offered to uninsured students at discounted prices to assure that all students have the opportunity to participate in school sports.