Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

YAVAPAI REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER – Prescott, Arizona
Partners for Healthy Students Program

What is it?
Partners for Healthy Students (PHS) is a school-based health service that provides free basic medical and dental care to uninsured or underinsured children at 26 participating schools in three school districts in the area. The in-school clinics are administered by a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and licensed by the state. Services range from diagnosis and treatment of minor illness and management of chronic illness to well-child visits, sports physicals, lab tests, x-rays, and prescription medicines. Acceptance of the clinic’s services is voluntary, and parental consent and participation are program requirements.

Who is it for?
School-age children who attend one of the participating schools and their younger siblings, if they are uninsured (no Medicaid, KidsCare, CHIP, or other insurance) or underinsured (deductibles higher than $2,500). 

Why do they do it?
In 2006, 20 percent of Arizona’s population – more than 1.2 million people – did not have health insurance. The intent of PHS is to reduce the human and financial costs that can result when a child’s health care is delayed or missed entirely. Healthy children feel better, perform better in school, are better able to enjoy life, and have a better chance of growing into healthy adults.

Impact: Since its founding in 1999, PHS has provided health care services to more than 3,000 children and more than 1,100 visits each year.

Contact: Robbie Nicol
Director of Development and Community Relations
Telephone: 928-771-5686
E-mail: rxnicol@yrmc.org