Ringgold Rotary Club hosts speakers from Primary Health Care. Front from left are Chastity Helton, grant coordinator for an in-the-works school-based health center at Tiger Creek Elementary, and CEO Diana Allen. Back from left are Ringgold Rotarian Bill Holden, Primary Health Care Centers community liaison Erica Green and Ringgold Rotary president Martha Eaker.
Photo by Katie WardPrimary Health Care Center located in Rossville and Trenton will open a school-based health clinic on the campus of Tiger Creek Elementary School.
“I’m excited about the opportunities that would come with a school-based health clinic,” said Catoosa County Schools Superintendent Denia Reese. “Anything we can do to help students improve attendance is great. For Catoosa County to pilot this program, it’s beneficial. We are all excited.”
Catoosa County School Board Director of Operations Damon Raines said some of Ringgold High School’s portable buildings might be moved to Tiger Creek Elementary to house the health care clinic.
Through an Emory University planning grant, the Tiger Creek clinic should become a reality once funding becomes available. Primary Health Care Center officials estimate that the clinic should open in one to two years.
“Representatives from Emory will meet with us again in May,” said Primary Health Care CEO Diana Allen. “We believe we identified a good school, Tiger Creek Elementary, because it is in a designated medically underserved area.”