Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

BEEBE MEDICAL CENTER – Lewes, Delaware 
School-Based Wellness Programs

What is it? 
The medical center operates Wellness Centers at three high schools in Sussex County.  These centers provide students with routine physical examinations, sports or employment physicals, treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, immunizations, prescriptions for routine medications, and mental health counseling.  When appropriate, family physician follow-up is performed and identification of and referral for treatment of high-risk conditions is also part of the program.  Health educational programs that focus on stress reduction, anger management, healthy eating and obesity, smoking, and alcohol abuse are also provided. 

Who is it for? 
The Wellness Centers provide services to students of three Sussex County high schools: Cape Henlopen, Sussex Central and Indian River. The schools are located in a rural area where significantly low-income populations reside.

Why do they do it? 
The Wellness Centers focus on prevention and promotion of positive physical and mental health practices that will carry adolescents through adulthood.

Impact: 
Each center has attracted more than 85 percent of its student body annually. The Medical Center has a contract with the Delaware Department of Public Health to operate these wellness centers, and the hospital subsidizes many of the costs that are not fully covered by the state.

Contact:  Peggy Diehl, RN, MSN
Community Health & School-Based Wellness Center Nurse Manager
Telephone:  302-645-3337
E-mail:   pdiehl@bbmc.org