A prescription for student success

In a win-win scenario where convenience and well-being are at heart, families in the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools will benefit from a new school-based health clinic, bringing primary care, preventive services, chronic disease management and behavioral health support practically to the schoolhouse door.

Set to open in spring 2027, the clinic will be located next to the Willoughby Senior Center in Union Village, adjacent to Willoughby South High School. The project—which has been made possible by a partnership between the district and Crossroads Health—has been four years in the making.

“This is a significant service for the community, which will ensure that every student has access to the support they need to be healthy,” says Heather Dodd, the district’s director of pupil services.

She points out that health issues don’t stop when the school bell rings. They can lead to missed classes, affect academic performance, create stress for families and keep students from fully participating in school life.

The new clinic is designed to knock down some of the everyday roadblocks that can make getting care difficult—from finding transportation to coordinating appointments and locating trusted providers.

A $500,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Health will help fund capital improvements and staffing needed to get the clinic up and running.

For Crossroads Health, the project is a natural next step in a longtime relationship with the district.

“We’ve had the privilege of working alongside students, families and school staff every day,” says Lauren Wright, senior director of clinical services. “We’ve seen firsthand how important it is to make integrated health care accessible.”

Crossroads Health President and CEO Leslie Quilty couldn’t agree more.

“When a community comes together around the well-being of our children, meaningful things can happen,” she says. 

Look for these monthly stories to cover topics from grades K-12 in the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools System. For details, visit WESchools.org.